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How to be funny

Updated on August 31, 2013

Laughing is so important

When was the last time you laughed so hard that you cried? Or split your pants? Or that you couldn't catch your breath? If it's been longer than a month, or you can't even recall the last time, then you need to lighten up. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to go around laughing all day long like an idiot, but life just isn't that serious. Or shouldn't be.

Laughter really is the best medicine. This is why it's so important to laugh and have sense of humor! Not to mention, if you are a man...women LOVE funny guys! In the middle of a fight with my husband he can get me to laugh hysterically, which makes me realize whatever we are fighting about is usually trivial.

But what if you're not that funny? Or can't take a joke? Well...then you need to learn how to be funny in a not so funny world.

“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.”

~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.

The health benefits of laughing

  • Reduces stress
  • Reduces blood pressure and lowers risk of heart disease
  • Reduces depression
  • Creates a positive environment for all, humor is contagious!
  • Reduces pain
  • Reduces conflict
  • Supports relationships and bonding
  • Relaxes the body
  • Boosts immunity

Benefits summarized

Mental
Physical
Social
Adds joy to life
Reduces stress
Improves relationships
Eases anxiety and fear
Protects the heart
Attracts others to us
Improves mood
Boosts immunity
Promotes bonding
Relieves stress
Relaxes the body
Improves teamwork

Be smart!

Have a brain

Typically if your IQ is higher, you have a broader sense of humor and can pick up on funny things faster. So if you're not that smart, start reading. There is nothing wrong with broadening your mental horizons.

Laugh at yourself

I think the first important thing to being funny is having the capacity to laugh at yourself. No one is perfect, and someone in the world will always be better or smarter than you at something.

Next time you clumsily trip, have a good old laugh about it. Hell, if people are nearby and see you fall on your face encourage them to laugh along with you. It's funny because everyone feels humiliation at times, but it's nothing to be so serious about.

Passed a loud stinky fart? Have a chuckle. It feels good releasing that energy from our bodies and although nasally offensive, it can be quite hilarious. Just mind your manners.

Don't sweat the small stuff

Life is a series of events, and good and bad is going to come no matter what you do. Sure you can waste time full of regret and worry, but what is the point? It won't change things. So stop worrying and start laughing. Can't pay the bill on time? So what, let the collectors get in line. Play phone games with collection callers. It's all small stuff. Car broke down? Gotta walk a mile to a station? Why not skip while doing it? Oh, but make sure to read this article first-fixing a car that won't start. Enjoy whistling while you go about your day. Ride on shopping carts when you do that dreaded task of grocery shopping. We are so bound up by stress from every day life that it really makes no sense to get all stressed out over it. You have to be on the look out daily for silly laughable things! Mind body and soul, feed it with laughter.

Husband and wife

A husband says to his wife "If I won the lottery, what would you do?" the wife thinks for a moment than says "I'd take half and leave your ass"

The husband smiles and says "great. I won $12, here's your $6, now get out!"

oh...come on that's pretty funny.

Learn some jokes

Get polished up on jokes and tell them at the next party. A joke is usually spawn from an unfortunate event that everyone can relate to, that's why they are funny! Again...humor is medicine and sometimes in times of great pain and suffering, healing comes from finding laughter in the sad circumstances.

Play gags and tricks on people

Let's face it, pranks are %!$@# hilarious and there are just to many to choose from. April Fools day can be everyday if you have a sense of humor!

Dress like a knucklehead

Who said plaid can't compliment a polka dot shirt? Nothing has to match. Free free to go a little crazy. Wear fun shoes, add colorful shoelaces, buy some silly hats, put on fake eyelashes, streak your hair, wear a mustache, wear suspenders or bow-ties, buy some fun wigs, wear blue lipstick. Whatever your goofy heart desires.

Smiles are contagious, and laughter is too! When you can laugh at yourself, you breed more positive into the world, and people will take notice of that. Granted, you may also be considered slightly insane, but so what. You only live once!

Take advantage of Holidays

Again, when dressing crazy, take full advantage of Holidays. Halloween is the perfect time to dress yourself in the silliest costume you want without feeling overwhelmed of looking like a weirdo.

If you want to be a hotdog for Halloween, do it!

We've had some really fun Halloween costumes. One year we dressed as terrorists, complete with TNT taped on (some I'm sure found offensive) but again, it was a joke. And jokes spawn from the misery or demise of others. Another year, my husband and his best friend dressed as the guys from Brokeback Mountain and won a Halloween contest, it was hysterical!

Find your style of humor

There are many styles of humor

  • Campy/cheesy
  • Clever/Quick-Witted
  • Goofy/Slapstick
  • Raunchy Dry
  • Sarcastic
  • Friendly
  • Obscure

working

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