The Missing Key Element to Your Happiness

A quick look through the posts on this blog and you’ll notice it is basically a guide for happiness. Journaling, gratitude, positive affirmations and more are all tools that support that, once you make a decision to take ownership and live a happier life. There are more things you can do and this one I always felt made a big difference for me, whenever I didn’t have it. So what missing key element to your happiness is this I’m talking about?

That key is the sense of humor. We already know that laughter is a great natural medicine, releasing dopamine hormones which lowers level of stress and increases levels of wellbeing. And I highly recommend you find reasons to laugh more: watch comedy films, read a joke book, watch a live (or online) comedy show, hang our with funny people if you can. Laughing is absolutely a way to increase happiness in your life, so look for more ways to laugh!

What is sense of humor

Having a sense of humor, however, is even better than just laughing. It’s the ability of finding the absurd, or the ordinary in the dark moments, and bringing levity to it. It’s the ability of not taking life too seriously and dissolving sour moods all around you and turning them into smiles. It is also recognizing the funny in any difficult situation and laughing it off.

The way I see it, having a sense of humor is a form of resilience and of coping with stressful situations in life, while bringing others up with you.

What are the benefits of having a sense of humor

People with great senses of humor are not easily brought down by life’s struggles. They are more attractive, have happier relationships, are better leaders, and are smarter. Being able to make humorous remarks requires a higher cognitive ability. Did you know that understanding or creating “puns” requires both sides of the brain to work at the same time? Besides, using sense of humor improves learning, diffuses conflict, reduces stress and increases pleasure.

Have you ever used humor to de-escalate tension? To break up a pity party? Humor is a great tool to lift moods up and turn around a heavy climate. Even if you are not the funny one, you know those people when you see them. Dad jokes? Bring them on. Silly people? We need more of them. Have you been around kids lately? They are masters in seeing humor in everyday situations, or even just reminiscing about funny parts of movies they have recently watched or books they have read. It is not a coincidence: it makes them feel good!

Will any type of humor increase levels of happiness?

Actually, no. You want to make sure you are focusing on positive humor, not negative. Negative type of humor includes sarcasm, and making fun of situations or others (or yourself) in a derogatory way. You know when it is negative when no one was left feeling better for it. Let’s keep it uplifting then, for best effects. Deal?

Is dark sense of humor ok? If you think it’s funny, yes. Dark sense of humor is considered to be a positive kind of sense of humor as long as it’s not demeaning to other people. Some people just don’t think it’s funny and that’s ok. (I do).

Are there any downsides to having a sense of humor?

If we are talking about the positive kind, my guess would be… not. Just kidding, as most things, too much of a good thing can end up being a negative. There are times in life that require a dose of seriousness and jokes to be put aside. A good dose of humor is wonderful but too much of it can get, well, not so funny after a while.

It’s like ice cream. Actually, no, because ice cream is awesome (and bad in excess) but laughing is good for your health.

Is this serious?

There was a study that proved that you can actually exercise your sense of humor, pretty much like we can exercise our gratitude practice. At the end of each day, write down on a piece of paper three funny things that happened that day, for a week. It could include things that you’ve done or said or that you witnessed.

When they had groups of people doing this, it was found to be effective in enhancing happiness for up to three months and decreasing depression symptoms for up to 6 months!

What a brilliant idea! I’m including this today in my list idea for journaling.

How can I improve my sense of humor?

These have been mentioned above, but to summarize: consume funny material, such as books, magazines, movies, tv shows, podcasts, live shows, etc. Surround yourself with people that have a good sense of humor. Allow yourself to see the funny side of things! Write down 3 funny things that happened at the end of each day.

Hang out more with dads.

Conclusion

Laugh it out! Life is not meant to be taken that seriously or heavily. There are too many reasons in life to get stressed and frustrated.

The other day, my dad fell into a phone scheme where he was tricked to give money to the caller who claimed to have kidnapped me. Once it was all said and done, and my parents reached out to me (afterwards) and knew I was ok, it was my sister who lightened things up by making jokes during a family call about it. Despite the heaviness of the situation, we all had a laugh and I cannot think of something my dad could have needed more at that moment.

Whenever I am stressed or having a relationship conflict, I remind myself of how sense of humor can save the day. Usually, my husband does by making jokes when I do not expect them, and breaking the ice. It certainly makes it for a lighter end of an argument. My son, on the other hand, loves reading Charlie Brown and Calvin and Hobbes comic strips, amongst others, and making us laugh whenever he can. And I get reminded that, even though most of the time I don’t think I’m funny, that I have a sense of humor deep inside of me telling me jokes I need to listen to more.

What do you call a pony with a cough?

A little horse.

Just a little joke. I found it here if you want to start laugh therapy right away. I’m going to open a Calvin and Hobbes book I borrowed from my kid, now.

What has been making you laugh lately?