Why Exercising Your Sense Of Humour Is So Important

Laughter truly is the best medicine when it comes to keeping us feeling physically, mentally and emotionally young as we age. However, maintaining our sense of humour to keep those laughs coming can take a surprising amount of work and practice over the years. To see the original article from the Huffington Post click here.

1 Love Your Laugh

Worried that folks will think your laugh is loud, nasally or cackling? Consider this ancient sentiment: Haters gonna hate. Laugh off criticisms. “Your laugh is part of your identity and self-esteem, and it’s essential to who you are,” says Steve Wilson, Columbus, Ohio-based psychologist and director of National Humour Month. “So to inhibit it or deny it puts you in jeopardy for health and happiness.”

2 Embrace Positive Laughter

“[Humour] can be a tool that you use positively, but it can also be a weapon,” says Karyn Buxman, motivational speaker and author of What’s So Funny About Heart Disease? Anyone who’s been the butt of a joke, a target of bullies or the recipient of ill-willed sarcasm knows that there’s a major difference between laughing with others and being laughed at. As the saying goes, “The richest laugh is at no one’s expense.”

3 Don’t Worry About Being Funny

“There’s a difference between being funny and having a sense of humour,” Buxman says. No need to prepare an opening monologue or to invest in a 12-pack of clown noses. It’s OK if you’re not the next Louis CK. Relax, and focus on enjoying and sharing laughs, rather than creating them.

4 Hang Out With People Who Have A Sense Of Humour

Take note of who makes you laugh and smile, and spend time with them. Grab a cup of coffee with your jovial co-worker. Call up your goofy cousin. Social bonds and the benefits of laughter are well worth the effort.

5 Know Your Sense Of Humour

“Sense of humour is very personalized,” says Buxman, who’s partial to the “Big Bang Theory.” But you may laugh at “Girls,” cat videos, Tyler Perry movies, David Sedaris books or improv shows. Instead of thinking, “Why does everyone think this is funny?” or “I don’t get it,” figure out what kind of humor does make you howl and schedule time to enjoy it. To see all 10 top tips click here.