Imagine life without laughter or humor. Picture how dull and boring our world would be without them. People who can find humor in even the simplest things and make people laugh tend to attract more people. Why? Because people feel good when they have a good laugh. Miserable people are that way because they fail to find things to laugh about. They take themselves too seriously and become so uptight that they forget what it’s like to have a sense of humor.
This is typical with a lot of married couples. When they were still dating, before a personalized engagement ring was made, they knew how to laugh together and at each other. But once they get married and the adult responsibilities that go with marriage kick in, they tend to lose their sense of humor because they think that fun and laughter are for kids.
They couldn’t be more wrong. Both humor and laughter have important roles in a family.
What is laughter’s role in the family?
One should never underestimate the power of humor and laughter. They have certain benefits that not only give a person a better disposition but also help families stick closer together.
It is good for our health
We’ve all heard people say that laughter is the best medicine. This is no joke. Science has this backed up with numerous researches and studies conducted by experts. They have concluded that laughter helps boost a person’s mood, which also helps enhance a person’s physical health.
It helps family members connect on a deeper level
When humor and laughter are present in a family, the members have a more intimate and deeper connection. Think about it. Most of your fondest memories with your family involve plenty of fun and laughter. The bond created by laughter between family members is one of a kind.
It teaches people to look at things from different perspectives
Sometimes the only way to get through life’s struggles is to learn how to look at things in a different way — an amusing way. It helps you get rid of the toxicity and negativity and replaces it with lightheartedness and even hope.
It allows folks to enjoy the simple things in life
In our pursuit of the finer things in life, we tend to forget to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Learning to look for things in the ordinary things that can make us smile and laugh can already do so much to improve our mood and countenance. An improved mood makes us more likable and personable to those around us, especially our loved ones.
It gives one the ability not to take oneself too seriously and not to be too uptight
Humor and laughter help us get over our grouchy selves and realign us to things that matter in life. Nobody likes being around moody people, even our families. The ability to laugh at oneself and each other in a healthy manner does wonder for a family.
How does one instill the value of humor into their household?
1. Be the role model of humor in your family
If you want the other family members to lighten up and laugh more, don’t wait for the opportune time. Do something about it. The change should start with you. Encourage and nurture an atmosphere of fun and laughter at home.
2. Don’t take yourself too seriously
Life is serious and stressful enough as it is. If you take it too seriously, you’ll lose the joy of living. Live a little, laugh a little. Some lighthearted humor and genuine laughter never hurt anyone. Laugh and poke fun at each other in a healthy, safe, and non-derogatory way.
3. Take your children’s sense of humor seriously
If you want your kids to grow up smiling and laughing a lot, living life to the full, then you should take their sense of humor seriously. Laugh with them at the things they find funny, as long as you maintain the boundaries of propriety. Help them understand the difference between what’s funny and what’s foul. This is part of building the right values in them.
4. Find out what makes your spouse and kids laugh
The beautiful thing about relationships is that people are constantly changing, so there’s always something new to discover about them. As we grow older, our preferences — including our sense of humor — change, so do your best to find out the latest things that your spouse or children find humorous and use that knowledge to spread laughter and cheer at home.
So laughter and humor have vital roles in a family. Never underestimate their power to heal and bring people closer together.
