One of the greatest gifts we possess is laughter. It’s that involuntary response we experience when we see or hear something funny. How wonderful is that? When life is tough, it’s the rain storm in the desert, the life raft in the sea and that fresh coat of snow on a Sunday morning. It’s what makes life… great.
In this article, we list several different ways to bring more laughter into your life… here’s how.
When you hear someone laughing, gravitate toward it
Laughter is contagious, so the more you’re around those who laugh; it will rub off on you. When you hear others laughing, it primes your brain to respond. Even if you don’t know someone (let’s say sitting at the table next to you at your favorite coffee shop) are laughing, it will usually make everyone within earshot smile. And occasionally, it will make you laugh too.
Learn to laugh at yourself
I know life isn’t always peachy. Most of the time it’s a daily struggle. But when you make silly mistakes, learn to laugh about it. Training your brain to see the humorous side of life, will make you more resilient to stress and possess the ability to handle those awkward moments in a more positive way. In the long run, it will make you a much happier person if you can tackle life with laughter.
Take a laugh break
Nowadays there isn’t a shortage of funny material to aid in your chuckling-quest. If you start to feel overwhelmed at work or home, take a break and watch a funny short-formatted comedy clip on your smartphone. Seriously, it will only take a few minutes. If silly animals make you happy, youtube.com is loaded with hilarious videos, or maybe you’re a stand-up comic type, funnyordie.com will have you giggling in no time. Here are two of my favorite. Wet Dog and the Dog Tease. Your mental health is a priority, so give it the mental massage it needs by laughing. TIME TO BE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND!!!
Schedule a laugh night
I think this activity is important for anyone, especially for families under a lot of stress. Netflix has an extensive list of shows. Pick one of your favorites or try something new like a stand-up comedy routine. Jerry Seinfeld or Jim Gaffigan – Obsessed, have kid-friendly material. It’s hard to be stressed out or sad when you’re laughing. By the end of the night, everyone will feel much happier and remember… laughter bonds people closer together.
Hang out with funny people
I know I have my serious friends (aka: Debbie Downer’s or Buzz Killington’s) and then those friends who love to laugh. Finding a balance between the two is key. When I’m in need of some giggle-time, I invite my mother-in-law over to watch a comedy show. She’s the type of person who gets her whole body into it when she’s laughing, and I find myself chuckling just because she is. It makes any show 10 times funnier when she’s around. So when you need a lift, invite those carefree people over and have a laugh-in night.
Tune-in to funny material
When you’re feeling a little down, tune into something funny. When you’re driving in your car, turn the radio to a comedy station, or listen to it at work or when you’re at home cooking dinner. It will get you out of your funk in no time. We all need laughter in our life so get up and do something to bring more chuckle-time into your life. You’ll be glad you did.