I’m one of those people who laughs at my own jokes and, yes, sometimes I’m the only one laughing. But that’s okay! The research shows that laughter is healthy, like decreasing stress hormones and increasing the immune response. That’s why for my Year of 50 this month I’m highlighting my “Top 50 reasons to laugh (or at least crack a smile).” It includes funny quips, thoughts on reasons to laugh and ideas for creating laughter in your day-to-day life. And, it’s another way to focus on something else besides losing weight.
1. Auto-correct when texting
2. A good comedy (I love “When Harry Met Sally”)
3. Catching up with fun friends
4. Cat videos
5. People watching
6. The sound of a loved one’s laughter
7. Being carded (this depends on your age, of course 😊)
8. A favorite song playing on the radio that brings back fun memories
9. An infant doing almost anything (except crying!)
10. Candid Camera – like videos of people texting while walking
11. “Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln
12. “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” – George Burns
13. “There is always light at the end of the tunnel – if there isn’t, it’s not a tunnel.” – author unknown
14. “Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.” – James A. Garfield
15. “One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute.” – William Feather
16. “A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours.” – Milton Berle
17. “You’re only as good as your last haircut.” – Fran Lebowitz
18. “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin
19. “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” – A. A. Milne
20. “Accept who you are. Unless you’re a serial killer.” – Ellen DeGeneres, Seriously… I’m Kidding
21. Visiting with family (look for humor over dysfunction)
22. Watching I Love Lucy
23. The Seinfeld “Shrinkage” episode
24. Childhood haircuts from old school photos
25. Silly things you say when you’re overly tired
26. A humorous book (ever read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress?)
27. Watching a cat sunbathe, belly up
28. Google “newscast” bloopers and watch a couple
29. Reflect on the times you said “I’ll laugh at this one day”
30. Listening to a toddler explain something as though she’s an adult
31. “When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye. ― Cathy Guisewite
32. “Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.” ― Albert Einstein
33. “If a book about failures doesn’t sell, is it a success?” ― Jerry Seinfeld
34. “I came from a real tough neighborhood. Once a guy pulled a knife on me. I knew he wasn’t a professional, the knife had butter on it.” ― Rodney Dangerfield
35. “Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” – Alan Dundes
36. “Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.” – Dennis Wholey
37. “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. – Mark Twain
38. “My favorite kind of humor is basically, if it was happening to you, it wouldn’t be funny, but to observe it, it’s hilarious.” – Bill Burr
39. Billion-dollar idea. A smoke detector that shuts off when you yell “I’m just cooking!” – a random quote on Pinterest
40. “Age is of no importance unless you’re a cheese.” – Billie Burke
41. My view of life is colored by humor and looking at the best in any situation.” – Michael J. Fox
42. You are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humor teaches tolerance.” – W. Somerset Maugham
43. “A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles.” – Mignon McLaughlin
44. “If you could choose one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.” – Jennifer Jones
45. “Cynicism is humor in ill health.” – H.G. Wells
46. “I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.” – Frank A. Clark
47. “I make jokes because humor is the greatest healing factor that there is.” – Dick Dale
48. “Humor can help you cope with the unbearable so that you can stay on the bright side of things until the bright side actually comes along.” – Allen Klein
49. “A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
50. “Laugh as much as possible, always laugh. It’s the sweetest thing one can do for oneself & one’s fellow human beings.” – Maya Angelou
Laughter is especially helpful during times of amplified stress, when we can take ourselves too seriously. I recommend having a ready-to-go repertoire of video clips or people you can call for a quick humor reprieve. Consider laughter an essential practice for your overall well-being.
Enjoy in good health!