Laughing just for fun

9 simple strategies that provoke a healthy laughter

You can practice laughing just for fun. In this advanced approach, I present to you nine strategies for finding more laughter in your life from everyday experiences.

Laugh scientists have found that those who laugh for a minute are end up feeling so refreshed, its equivalent to performing 45 minutes of yoga or relaxation training.

So let’s dig deeper into this priceless source of happiness and relaxation.

Why does Laughing make us Relaxed, and Why do we Feel so Good after?

What happens when you laugh? First of all, your body experiences a stressful condition (Eustress), and, at the same time, you activate 80 muscles. Your heart beats faster and the blood pressure increases. More oxygen is transported to your lungs as well.

Besides these relatively evident effects, there are some others. Laughing just for fun:

• triggers the release of endorphins and promotes an overall sense of well-being
• reduces stress hormones in your body
• boosts your immune system
• relieves pain
• gives you new courage to face life
• suspends tensions
• promotes the healing process
• appeases fears
• invigorates and rejuvenates skin

And much more…

A Chuckle a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Having the capability to laugh is also crucial for the development of our children. Kids grow up better and faster the more they smile and laugh.

9 Strategies that Give you More Reasons for Laughing just for Fun

1. Try to Smile in Between

It might sound unbelievable, but just to smile can influence your mood in a positive way (even if you don’t feel it).

Try to smile just for one minute. In the beginning, it might feel like a grimace, but you will be surprised at how quickly you will start to smile naturally. The smile stimulates the nerves in your face which then signal the brain that there is something funny or positive happening.

2. Look Consciously for Something Funny

Humor is as manifold as human beings are – for each of us, it is interpreted differently. Commit to something you can laugh about. As long as you don’t hurt someone else’s feelings, everything is allowed:

- Look for funny websites or books
- Read at least one funny joke per day: e.g. subscribe to a joke newsletter

3. Collect Funny Things

There are many funny things you can collect and store for hard times. Cut out cartoons from the newspaper, clipart, funny images or jokes and stick them in your personal laughter book. You can also note funny incidents, etc. That way, you always have something ready for laughter when you need to brighten up your mood.

Keeping a toy that can make you laugh in your car or on your desk is a great idea too.

4. Watch Laughing Videos or Movies

Take some time to watch a funny YouTube video, a TV movie or just a little funny GIF image and have a healthy chuckle.

Have you ever watched a video of a laughing baby? I think there is no bad mood that a laughing baby can’t cheer up.

In need of a giggle?

Check out this adorably hilarious video (Youtube) of a baby laughing at a ripping paper. The video has thus far received more than 76 million views!

Another Youtube video I highly recommend to provoke a laughing fit is this Flash Mob in a Tube in Berlin, no need to speak German to understand it…

5. Funny Poster or Quotes about Laughter

Put up a funny poster or quotes about laughter as reminder in your office or install a computer screensaver that makes you smile.
Or print out my laughing quote cards here (Opens as PDF-File)!

6. Learn to Laugh about Yourself

Put things into perspective. Laughing about yourself not only produces enough reasons for a chuckle, but it makes your life easier altogether.

To be able to laugh about yourself, you first have to step outside of yourself. Observe yourself from a third-person, caring perspective. With the external view, you realize quite quickly that many things that you are doing can be quite funny.

7. Follow Funny Pinterest Boards

There are many Pinterest boards full of funny jokes. Follow them and make sure to follow my Pinterest board on “laughing workouts” too.

8. Surround Yourself with Playful, Fun People

Spend time with people who laugh easily – both at life’s absurdities and at themselves. Surely you know somebody who routinely finds the humor in everyday events. Their laughter and playful point of view are infectious.

9. Try Fun Activities

Make time for fun activities like karaoke, playing Uno cards, bowling, miniature golfing or laughter yoga.

Are you a Laughing Expert?

Are you already enjoying a happy life full of laughter and joy? Take it to the next level and help others to experience laughing just for fun too.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT LAUGHING STRATEGIES DO YOU USE?

Do you use any of the laughing strategies I listed above? Which ones do your prefer?

Did I miss any techniques that you think are important that you’d like to share with the community? Feel free to share them in the comment section below!