Face it, even though life can be hard, boring and painful at times, you don’t have to let it make you a sourpuss. You need a healthy sense of humor. You need to laugh more. Kids laugh all the time. Adults don’t.

I could prove it to you. There are statistics! But I don’t want to bore you with those.

Statistics won’t make you laugh more.

What will?

I could tell you about the health benefits of laughing.

I could explain how playing is linked to laughing.

But instead…

I will give you some practical things to do AND tickle your funny bone in the process.

Things you can do to laugh more.

Watch funny movies. One of my favorites is the classic Princess Bride. A few others that can bring on the belly laugh are: The Other Woman, Mom’s Night Out, Liar Liar, and Tommy Boy.

Do you have a favorite movie that makes you laugh? When was the last time you watched it?

Watch funny YouTube videos. Everyone’s funny bone is different and YouTube has quite the variety. So if you like funny animal videos, or people doing dumb things, or standup comedians, or anything else I’m pretty sure you can find it there.

A favorite of mine is People without kids don’t know by Michael McIntyre. I’ll give you the link at the bottom.

Spend time with a kid. Kids are funny and they laugh a lot. Do you have a younger niece, nephew, neighbor, cousin, sister, brother, or grandkid? Even going to a park and watching kids play can bring on laughter.

Don’t take yourself too seriously!

Just yesterday I was playing a conglomeration of things with my granddaughter. I had a stuffed frog on my lap and suddenly I had the frog doing sit-ups.

I burst into a belly laugh when I took notice of myself.

Laughing at yourself is good.

Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat… Never take yourself too seriously. Og Mandino

Put up a funny photo. Pick a good place to display it. Like on your refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, your desk, or the dashboard of your car. Where do you need to be reminded to laugh more?

Something like one of these.

Play games with friends. What games you play depends on what you like. It could be a simple game of cards. I’ve found reverse charades pretty hilarious. Pick up some snacks and beverages, invite someone over and have a laughing good time.

Remember you’re playing a game so don’t take yourself too seriously and laugh.

Don’t forget to laugh!

Post funny quotes. You can find them all over the internet. Print out what makes you laugh and post them around your house or office.

My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them. Mitch Hedberg

I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three of them. – George Carlin

Remember the last time you had a good belly laugh.

Was it something you did? Something you saw? Why was it so funny? Think about it until it makes you laugh again.

Start a board on Pinterest. Collect funny things and save them. Jokes, activities, pictures, quotes – whatever. If your first glance makes you crack up – pin it!

I have my own board. Here are two of my pins.

Find funny people to follow on Twitter. Here are a couple tweets from two such accounts.

A Will Ferrell parody account and a funny jokes and memes account. I’ll give you the links at the bottom.

“Well, I guess that’s enough internet for me today.”

And

Then….

“IF THIS IS YELLING…. and this is talking…. wHat THis sOUnDs LikE?”

Add laughing to your daily routine. Everyone has some kind of routine in their lives. Routine gives us comfort because it’s familiar and predictable. But it can also become mundane and boring.

So add some spice. Get a joke book and read one a day along with your morning coffee or at lunch. Or you could get a page a day calendar with funny pictures or jokes to read every morning when you get up or arrive at work.

Look at your routine and see where you can insert something.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Adulting is difficult and draining but there are many ways to laugh more.

So do it!  Laugh more!

You’re worth it. Your sanity is worth it.

And Don’t Forget the 2 Don’ts!

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Don’t forget to laugh.

Take Action:

• What made you laugh most? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to make you laugh more.
• Start a board on Pinterest – go here
• Laugh at me and watch the video People without kids don’t know by Michael McIntyre – go here
• Try these on Twitter: Jokes and Memes   Will Ferrell parody
• If you’re new here get your copy of Love’s Manifesto FREE!

Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

See Full Bio