Featured Fundamism: Make Yourself Laugh

Welcome to our Featured Fundamism! We consistently profile a new Fundamism providing individuals guidance on activities intended to bring more F.U.N. to their lives. The goal is to provide education and exposure to things that could potentially help focus less on the things in life that tear us down and more on what builds us up. This Featured Fundamism? Make Yourself Laugh!

WHAT:

Find ways to make yourself laugh

WHY:

“Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all of our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.” While many of us have heard that laughter is the best medicine for what ails us, I believe Mark Twain truly captured the definition of humor and how it positively affects us in his quote above.

According to Paul E. McGhee, PH.D., “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Those that laugh regularly know that it helps spark energy, regulates pain, reduces stress and even strengthens your immune system!

We all know people that brighten up a room when they enter. In contrast, I’m sure many of us know those that when they LEAVE the room, the room brightens up a little! Laughter is contagious. When one person laughs, others tend to follow suit. No one wants to be the person that gets others down. Humor is one sure fire way to positively impact not only one’s self but others, as well.

HOW:

There are countless ways to make yourself or others laugh. Sharing embarrassing moments, telling jokes, doing silly dances with friends or watching comedy television are just a few ways to get that funny bone tickled. Years ago, I’d watch stand up comics perform on Friday nights on Comedy Central. I’d record the entire series called, “Comedy Central Presents,” and could generate a laugh whenever I needed just by pressing play.

Another avenue to explore when trying to get a chuckle is to laugh at one’s self. There is no better time to act ridiculous than when no one else is around. When we are alone, no one is around to judge us but ourselves.

For years, I worked as a call center representative who had to fix people’s “problems” on a daily basis. It seemed as though everyone who called me was mad at the world and needed me to turn their situation around. Hearing negative experiences day in and day out can really take a toll on an individual’s mindset. Following a long and tiresome day, I would always try to find ways to cleanse myself of the negativity that surrounded me at work. One of my favorite ways of accomplishing this was to drop my things at the door upon my arrival at home and sprint to my bedroom. Once my bed was in sight, I would leap onto it with my arms and legs fully extended. Those of you familiar with wrestling may remember a wrestler by the name of Eddie Guerrero. His move known as, “the frog splash,” always had the ability to turn my day around. You see, when I dropped my “baggage” at the door and made the leap into my bed, I felt silly. I even remember saying out loud, “Paul, you’re an idiot!” However, no one was around to judge me and ultimately, I felt completely different about myself and my day. It was as though I had taken a bath in positivity!

Other ways that have helped me to laugh at myself are dancing in the mirror, making up songs and talking to myself. I don’t believe that there is any one way better than another for the implementation of this fundamism. If it makes you laugh, than do it often!