PLAY NICE . . .

One of my favorite qualities in a human being is a good sense of humor. I love to laugh! I've always been drawn to people who make me laugh. 

I have a friend 'Connie' who used to fake laughing (in the shower) when she felt glum. She reported that she often ended up genuinely laughing at the absurdity of what she was doing and felt great when bath time was over. Another good friend, 'Audrey' would purposefully call just to get in a good belly laugh for the day. We once fell asleep laughing . .  with our mouths open (I kid you not).

I feel closest to my husband and my son when we're having fun and laughing.  I typically don't enjoy humor at someone else's expense but I do tease my guys a bit. Often times I tease them about some quality that they themselves are aware is a bit quirky and will usually see the humor as well.

My mother-in-law chided me a bit once when I told her my husband was too "serious".  Although he is more "serious" than me, my husband has a great sense of humor but his best quality is his laugh. I love his unabashed laugh! If I can make him laugh, I feel a stronger connection to him.

My son is funny. I don't think he realizes how funny he is. It's not just a mom thing, he's truly funny. My kid is an observer of people and notices humorous characteristics and uses them (not in a harsh way) in his telling of a story or situation that often has me rolling . . .

My brother-in-law could be a stand up comedian . . . his brother is a stand-up comedian! My nieces and nephews make me laugh. My oldest nephew has me doubled over when he starts into one of his shticks . . . I have to confess that he's often mimicking someone he's encountered in life that he feels possesses some annoying quality he can't resist exploiting (so I lied, sometimes I do enjoy humor at someone else's expense if they aren't directly harmed). My nieces and nephews are often most entertaining when the four of them are together and they're playing off one another. My sisters family has this 'cutting' humor that is not for the faint-of-heart but I have to admit, they do make me laugh!

Turns out laughing is about more than just feeling jolly, laughter is healthy. 

At About.com, Elizabeth Scott, M.S. writes the following post on laughter.

The Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter 

Health Benefits of Laughter: Stress Relief, Immunity, and More

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Guide

Updated January 10, 2011

"Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. While more studies need to be done, studies so far have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity. Positive psychology names the propensity for laughter and sense of humor as one of the 24 main signature strengths one can possess, and laughter yoga clubs are springing up across the country. Read on for more findings about the health benefits of laughter, and see how to incorporate more humor and fun into your life.
Stress Management Benefits of Laughter:

• Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrineadrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress. 
• Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.
• Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.
• Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.
• Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive. (For more on changing your perspective, see this article on cognitive reframing.)
• Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Just as with smiling and kindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!"

 So lighten up, don't take life so seriously! Laugh your way to health!