Fake it’ til you make it. You may not feel like laughing, but making a conscious effort to smile may actually lead to a chuckle or two. Be willing to let that snicker out, even if you feel silly doing it. Charlie Chaplin said,“ A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
Consider therapy. Some mental health professionals and life coaches offer special programs that encourage clients to embrace laughter. Known as laughter therapy, this treatment integrates humour and laughter exercises into sessions.
Start at home. When I need a good laugh I find that scrolling through humorous pet videos will usually satisfy my funny bone. We all have a few TV programs that are guaranteed to bring a smile to our faces, so search those out and turn them on. Remember that many of the classics are still available on alternate media sources, so if you enjoy the older programs from the twentieth century, search for those.
Attend comedy events. Phyllis Diller once said,“ I’ m at an age where my back goes out more than I do.” Whether it’ s a movie or a comedy show, a night out at a special event that’ s bound to make you laugh can be a great way to bring the laughter to the surface. Maybe you’ re even the type to give stand-up comedy a try? Some workshops teach improv and comedic writing in a group dynamic and some even cater to seniors. Open mic comedy nights may be your ticket to a dose of happiness if you’ re adventurous.
Hang with friends. Some friends have a special ability to bring joy and laughter with them wherever they go. Surrounding yourself with people who make you smile is the key to feeling more joyful. Comedian Victor Borge believed that,“ Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
Take a specialized course. Laughter yoga, anyone? I’ ve never tried it, but apparently it can have long-lasting positive effects on health. I’ ve done yoga with kittens and I can assure you it brought a huge smile to my face and plenty of laughter.
Embrace family connections. Our memories with family aren’ t always full of sunshine and roses, but there are usually some funny times we can reflect on for a good laugh. Finding those memories and looking back on them with a sense of humour can help strengthen the family bond while tickling the funny bone.
Don’ t take yourself too seriously. Humorist Erma Bombeck once said,“ If you can’ t make it better, you can laugh at it.” Reflect on the humorous side of events rather than the downside. We all make mistakes, whether it’ s battling technology or dealing with physical challenges. Embracing humour can be an effective coping mechanism.
Jane Thrall enjoys a good laugh, especially at her own expense. She’ s retired and living her best life while trying not to take herself too seriously.
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