A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. — Phyllis Diller
Do you ever have those moments when you feel heavy and burdened until something makes you laugh? The release of joy makes you feel light and free! Laughter is an action that benefits our bodies in many ways. It is known to decrease stress, boost the immune system, and give us a physical release.
Laughter is a way we can take control of our attitude and offer ourselves a new perspective. We can choose happiness and joy! But what are some ways we can add laughter into our lives?
Here are five ideas:
1. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
It’s easy to hold ourselves back from being silly. We worry what others might think, so we keep our humor in a box and take on a serious attitude instead. What if we gave ourselves the freedom to break out of those walls? Bust a move when your favorite song comes on the radio, no matter where you are. Make that sarcastic comment in a room that needs to lighten up. Give yourself permission to drop your mature mannerisms and be childlike for a bit. Embrace the silliness that’s within you!
2. Join in the humor around you.
Maybe you aren’t feeling funny, but the people around you might be. Join in! It’s a contagious chain reaction. Humor needs to be shared, so take the first step and invite others to join in too.
3. Don’t force it, enjoy the humor of others.
Maybe you’re not ready to join in, but you can enjoy the humor of others! Sit back and open yourself up to be entertained. Laughing at others isn’t always a bad thing.
4. Surround yourself with those who make you laugh.
To laugh with others, you have to surround yourself with people who are funny! If you are in a dry conference room all day where even the slightest chuckle makes the whole room stop and stare, you probably can’t rely on the humor of others. Make sure at some point in your day you are surrounding yourself with people who make you laugh! You may have to go out of your way, but the feeling you get when you are around those types of people is worth the extra effort.
5. Look for the humor.
You have the choice every day to look for the humor. Maybe you are trying to decide what you want to watch on Netflix. Choose shows like Friends or New Girl over those shows that make your brain hurt when you turn off the TV. Subscribe to a few YouTube channels that correlate with your humor. With media at our fingertips, there is no excuse for the lack of laughter in our lives. Make choices that bring the laughter out of you–drink up the free and healthy medicine and watch your life change.
What are some ways you incorporate laughter into your daily life?
