Develop your sense of humor and keep on laughing!
Just like our muscles when it comes to exercise, we have to continue to develop our sense of humor to keep it working and strong. If we’re bogged down with daily tasks and the stresses of life, we can forget to see the joy and humor and lose the ability to laugh at those moments that could help us make it through.
So, let's dig down deep and find some ways to work out those laughing muscles to keep our sense of humor intact.
Here are some ways to develop a sense of humor.
#1 - Laugh at Yourself and Situations
Share your embarrassing moments. One thing I learned from my hilarious mom was to laugh at myself. She never seemed to be embarrassed by the many silly things and mistakes that happened. Whenever she made a mistake, or confused a situation (and believe me, there were many) she never failed to laugh hysterically about it. It was contagious laughter. So much so that it took a long time to find out what happened because she was laughing so hard she couldn’t talk. By the time we got to the story we all had tears running down our faces we were laughing so hard! What I learned was that we all make mistakes, so why not laugh about what we do wrong? It helped me learn not to let my mistakes and failures weigh me down, but to laugh and move forward. It has been a great lesson especially when times were filled with those tough moments.
Of course there are times to be serious, but it can be the same with bad situations. If possible, find the irony or the absurdity in it all. If you can uncover the humorous anecdote of a negative event, you can turn that situation around for everyone. It changes the outlook and often the outcome for everyone.
#2 - Find Your Inner Child
If you have been bringing more laughter in your life, then this should be an easy step. Take life lightly, with laugh and play. Remember the steps to find the lighter side and let that child out more. Remember you are only as old as you act!
#3 - Deal with your Stress
Stress can take the fun out of life and is quick to decrease your sense of humor, so it's important to work on stress management. I've been talking about other techniques like TRE that helps regulate your nervous system, but a good massage, yoga class or even a exercise class can help lower stress levels. Sometimes talking with a counselor to help get your mind working on new techniques to deal with stress and how to manage all the things weighing you down can help. In terms of laughter, bring a happy memory to mind and let that smile come out as you reminisce.
#4 - Avoid the Negative
Separate yourself from negative people and steer away from the news, stories or conversations that make you unhappy, sad or stressed. Many of these things are beyond your control anyway and you only end up carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. It's commendable, but unrealistic and unhealthy.
Instead surround yourself with things that make you smile. That includes those people who bring you joy and fun, but it can also be placing things around you that make you laugh or bring a smile to your face. A screensaver, poster or photo placed in your home or office.
#5 - Don't Go a Day Without Laughing
Just like your physical workouts, you must exercise that humor daily. Make a conscious effort to find something every day to laugh at. Set aside 10 minutes a day to do something that amuses you. Watch funny videos or read funny memes online. Whatever it is, make it a habit and laughing will soon be effortless and part of your natural routine!
Someone at this clinic exercises their humor muscles and quite possibly is on a diet!
