Tickle That Funny Bone

Make time to see the humour in things.

Babies start smiling at around six months of age. We also like to believe that our pets, especially dogs, can smile. It makes sense that monkeys and baboons can laugh, but few people will believe that rats apparently laugh too. We as humans, are 30 times more likely to laugh together than alone. Laughter is also extremely contagious. We know that humour and laughter can change the atmosphere at work or at home.

There are of course all kinds of laughter. A laugh can be dominant or submissive. A laugh can be spontaneous and from your belly, while another kind of laugh can be sad and compassionate.

Sometimes, so it is claimed, people’s status can be deducted from how they laugh.

What exact formula of “funny” is, remains a question. However, we know it can be exceptionally funny when something goes wrong or sometimes when the limits of appropriateness are tested. Something can be funny without a single word being spoken (think: Mr. Bean).

Through the ages, people have known that laughter is good for us. Not just a little bit good – it is really very good for us. There were even times when doctors prescribed laughing and humour for their patients.

Laughter and humor have a lot of value. They bind us together. Where we laugh together, we do do not feel so alone.

But even more, laughter and humour can help relieve tension, fatigue, and even pain. It helps us to survive tedious tasks, defuse conflict, and lift our spirits. It raises our energy levels, helps us with perseverance, and makes us more productive. Humour and laughter can give us that much needed break in difficult times.

Laughter is good for our bodies too. When we laugh, we get more air into our lungs, our muscles relax, and there are fell-good endorphins coursing through our bodies. It really remains one of the healthiest ways to cope. So, watch the funny videos, enjoy the memes, and most of all, share a good laugh with the people you enjoy spending time with.