10 ways to laugh more

How to get your daily giggle back on

Text: Rachel L

For the skeptics among us, the phrase “laughter is the best medicine” might earn a dismissive scoff or raised eyebrows. Yet according to the Mayo Clinic, the power of a simple giggle is not to be underestimated as research points towards laughter being capable of boosting immune systems, relieving pain and improving moods. With its ability to increase the endorphins our brains release, and lower blood pressure and tension, it’s no surprise that a research study conducted in July 2020 found that laughter has proven to be an effective stress reliever. Unhealthy levels of stress have been found to have dire effects on our health and given recent events, we could all use something to loosen up the tension. However, there are times when mustering a smile might be a struggle, much more producing a guffaw. Read on to find out how you can ensure you’re getting your daily dose of laughter.

1. Love your laugh

Does the occasional snort or your high-pitched cackling make you want to curl up in a ball and hide? Your laughter is a beautiful and unique part of you that you should never be ashamed of. For some, this might take a while to get used to, but as you open up and allow yourself to let loose that loud roar or quiet chuckle, you’ll thank yourself soon after.

2. Understand your sense of humour

While we’re on the topic of what makes you the special and lovely individual you are, embracing your sense of humour is another step to take to start laughing more. This might take a bit of experimentation but that’s the fun of it after all! Whether you’re more partial to dad jokes, slap-stick comedy or any other style of humour, learning what gets a good laugh out of you will help you to incorporate it more into your life.

3. Surround yourself with positive and funny people

Few things feel better than sharing a laugh with a friend. Surround yourself with people that are capable of brightening your day and you’ll probably find yourself doing that a lot more. Don’t hesitate to call up the colleague that’s constantly making you smile or invite your goofy uncle over for dinner; strong social bonds are something that we all need.

4. Follow a good sit-com

Television comedies such as FRIENDS and How I Met Your Mother have been getting laughs out of their audiences for years and not without good reason. Watching a favourite of yours after a long day could be a great way to unwind and relax. If you’re unsure where to start, you can try the ones we’ve mentioned, or check out Kim’s Convenience, a heartwarming and humorous sitcom chronicling the daily adventures of a Korean-Canadian family as they run their convenience store in Toronto.

5. Read a funny book

Reading is a beloved pastime of many and it doesn’t always have to be serious business. There are tons of books out there that are comedy-gold. One that comes to mind is I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman,  where in a flawless showcase of her dry wit, Nora Ephon delivers a hilarious, self-mocking collection of essays on the hard-earned truths she’s gathered about womanhood. Other examples include The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the perfect read for science fiction lovers searching for a lighter read that falls within the genre, and Too Much Is Not Enough, where the star of Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, Andrew Rannells, provides us with a cheeky and heartwarming memoir of his times chasing his dreams in New York City.

6. Follow more funny Instagram accounts

If scrolling through posts of glamorous dinner dates or exciting travel adventures is leaving you with a bad case of FOMO, maybe it’s time to change up your feed. Instagram is filled with laugh-out-loud content and given the diversity of the Internet, there’s bound to be more than one account that fits your sense of humour. Accounts to visit would include @introver.thoughts which boasts an expansive collection of memes that showcase the daily experience of being an introvert and @mytherapistsays another champion of relatable memes, whose every post warrants a like, comment and repost. And @celestebarber is guaranteed to give you belly ache from hard LOLLING! 

7. Make game night a regular affair among friends and family

Board game sessions can produce unforgettably entertaining moments and incorporating it in your family time or with your friends could also be a good way to bond with your loved ones. You can check out Exploding Kittens, an exciting game of sabotage and strategy, Cards against Humanity, a hilariously horrible party game that brings out the worst side of your friend group, and What Do You Meme, a side-splitting competition to create the greatest meme of all time. Of course, if board games aren’t to your taste, planning any other kind of activity that you and those close to you enjoy would also be just as effective.

8. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself

One of the hardest humour skills according to University of Zurich researcher, Jennifer Hoffman, being able to laugh at yourself reveals a level of personal insight and self-acceptance that not everyone has mastered. However, a certain degree of reflection needs to be done while doing this as the line between self-demeaning and self-deprecating humour is a fine line. Despite this, healthy self-directed laughter is not an ability we should shy from as it helps us be more forgiving and accepting of ourselves.

9. Start a gratitude journal

Constantly keeping yourself aware of the things that you’re grateful for helps to place yourself in a positive mindset that might be a subtle invitation for more laughter into your life. Find the humour in everyday life and add this into your journal – sometimes its better to make light of a situation, have a little laugh and then move on. 

10. Spend time with children 

Play time is a huge part of a child’s daily life, coupled with their sweet innocence and this creates many opportunities for a few good laughs. Some ways you can incorporate children in your life would include offering to babysit or volunteering at the nearby childcare centre. If you can’t find a way to spend time with any children, the Internet is filled with jaw-achingly funny videos of kids that will definitely tickle your funny bone. We would definitely recommend visiting @averageparentproblems, which is full of baby and toddler adventures, or @livefromsnack which has compiled a wonderful list of unforgettable quotes from children.

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