We have faced so many serious issues lately. I want to focus on something very important but a bit more fun: Laughter. Being able to find the humor in everyday experiences can help us laugh at ourselves.
In 2019, I fell and shattered my shoulder. It hurt so much I could hardly breathe. The ambulance took me down a road that was unfinished and rough. I vaguely remember swearing a lot because even over the painkillers it hurt really bad. As we approached the hospital, the attendant said, “Sorry about the road. It’s the only way to the hospital right now.” I looked at him and said, “Sorry about all the swear words.” He smiled and said, “That’s OK we learned a few new ones.” I found myself laughing just a bit and felt a mountain of tension fade away.
I have told that story many times and I laugh about it each time. It really is true that laughter is good medicine. “It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.” helpguide.org
Laughter Keeps You Young
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing,” George Bernard Shaw
As children, we spent hours laughing maybe hundreds of times a day. But now, life seems more serious and we don’t see so much to laugh about. Remember that laughter can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness and even add years to your life. Clearly, we need to seek out more opportunities for humor and laughter.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at the table with my 6-year-old granddaughter and as I got up, I made a small groan. She looked at me and said, “I think you are getting old. How old are you anyway, like 45?” I just started laughing. Her innocence was apparent, but I’m well past 65. I suppose I could have been hurt but I chose to laugh. It’s a memory I cherish.
For as long as I can remember I have used humor to get me past awkward situations, social embarrassments or just get people to laugh with me. Poking fun at things I mess up (so much material…) makes me happy too. I think many people are happiest when they can laugh at themselves and make others laugh. Even my coaching practice slogan is “Life Coaching with a Smile.”
Laughter is the Best Medicine (Really)
A recent study posted in Psychology and Individual Differences observed that people who can laugh at themselves have higher psychological scores in happiness and sociability.
“While some events in life are clearly sad and not opportunities for laughter, most don’t carry an overwhelming sense of either sadness or delight. They fall into the gray zone of ordinary life—giving you the choice to laugh or not. So, choose to laugh whenever you can.” helpguide.org
Whether you laugh at yourself, tune in to a comedy on TV, watch videos of kids or google “cats with cucumbers,” find a way to bring some laughter into every day.
Laughter Has Many Benefits
Here is what laughter can do:
- Improve physical health- Boost immunity, lower stress, decrease pain, relax your muscles, prevent heart disease
- *Improve mental health- Add zest to life, ease anxiety, relieve stress, improve mood, strengthen resilience
- Improve social benefits- Strengthen relationships, attract us to others, improve teamwork, diffuse conflict, promote bonding.
Laughter is a natural part of life that with us from the time we are born. Babies begin smiling in the first weeks of life. Maybe you grew up in a home that did not promote laughter. Nevertheless, you can learn to laugh now. Set aside time to seek out humor, just as you might set aside time to learn any new skill. Soon, humor and laughter will become part of your life. Laughing will become easier and enjoyable.
How to Laugh
Here are some tips from helpguide.org and the Mayo Clinic:
Smile. The simple act of smiling produces endorphins that stimulate the brains and make us feel happier. Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and like laughter, it’s contagious. Smile at people you pass in the street, the person serving you a morning coffee, or the co-workers in the elevator with you.
Count your blessings. Literally, make a list. The simple act of considering the positive aspects of your life will distance you from negative thoughts that block humor.
When you hear laughter, move toward it. People are often happy to share a funny situation. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s funny?”
Spend time with fun, playful people. These are people who laugh easily–both at themselves and at life’s absurdities–and who routinely find the humor in everyday events. Every comedian appreciates an audience.
Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your childhood?”
Create opportunities to laugh:
- Watch a funny movie, TV show, or YouTube video.
- Keep and post around you funny cartoons, photos or memes
- Seek out funny people.
- Share a good joke or a funny story.
- Play with a pet.
- Talk with children; see the world through them.
- Do something silly.
“The old man laughed loud and joyously, shook up the details of his anatomy from head to foot, and ended by saying that such a laugh was money in a man’s pocket, because it cut down the doctor’s bills like everything.” Mark Twain
Related Article: Self-Care
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