Roz Trieber - Laughter...A Luxury Within Your Reach

LAUGHTER…A LUXURY WITHIN YOUR REACH!
5.5 WAYS TO FIND FUN, HAPPINESS AND CHUCKLES

by Roz Trieber, MS, CHES

The hallmark of survival in the new millennium is humor and laughter. Believe it or not, it is beginning to get respect. There are actually professional organizations such as the International Society for Humor Studies ( http://www.uniduesseldorf.de/WWW/MathNat/Ruch/SecretaryPage.html), the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (www.aath.org) , and the World Laughter Tour (www.worldlaughtertour.com) composed of professionals in every field from psychology, education, health and linguistics who provide reliable and credible evidence of the benefits of humor and laughter. Look out for members of these organizations; you will recognize them by their beautiful smiles, giggles, funny hats and programs and publications that help you live life to the fullest as you handle life’s challenges.

Josh Billings, a 19th century humorist, said, “Anatomically considered, laughing is a sensation of feeling good all over and allowing it principally in one spot… Genuine laughing is a vent of the soul, the nostrils of the heart, and it is just as necessary for health and happiness as spring water is to trout.”

In survey after survey, when engaged and married couples are asked what they like most about their mate, “Sense of humor” is the number one surveyed answer. It doesn’t stop there. Little girls in the second grade say “they want to marry someone who can make them laugh without tickling them.” When human resource personnel interview prospective employees, they too look for a candidate’s ability to laugh, smile, and demonstrate a sense of humor in challenging situations. Here are 5.5 ways to find fun, happiness and chuckles…

SMILE NO MATTER WHAT! A smile is magical. Muscles relax, the immune system perks up and endorphins (natural pain killers) are released. When others encounter your smile, they usually respond with encouragement and enthusiasm. Even when you don’t feel like smiling, fake it until you make it! Your body will think you are happy! Try it right now. Oh go ahead. Nobody’s watching! Can you feel that surge of energy and confidence inside?
LAUGH AT YOURSELF: This is not about losing respect or demeaning yourself. It is truly an act of loving kindness. When you ask the question “Am I laughing at myself”, it helps us recognize the difference between perfection and perfectionism. Perfection is what we are, and that includes all the inconsistencies and shortcomings. You may not be perfect; but you are perfection because of, not in spite of, your contradictions. Perfection is healthy. It includes imperfection. Perfectionism is what we think we should be. It is always unhealthy. It is intolerant of imperfection. Laughing at ourselves is a way of taking ourselves lightly while taking our jobs seriously.
FUN COMES FROM THE WORK THAT YOU DO: Gaining pleasure from your abilities and accomplishments provide feelings of happiness and delight. If you are enjoying the work you do, your attitude, mood, and physical demeanor demonstrate your enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm is as contagious as great big smile or belly laugh. Keep your sanity by collecting humorous triumphs of the human spirit. You could try that now too!
SHARE FUNNY STORIES AND JOKES: Nothing demonstrates tacit approval as strongly as laughing with others. Share stories and jokes on a daily basis. Try this on for size: Ask your children, significant other or co-workers to tell you funny stories or jokes. Write down those that you want to remember. You might even create a “Food or Work joke of the week” box in front of the cafeteria or kitchen. Invite family or employees to put in their favorite joke that relates to food or eating or any other topic. Post the winner on a wall each week and offer a prize (antacid tablets or pizza for two).
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE FUNNY: MAKE THE PROCESS FUN AND HAVE FUN: Don’t postpone fun. Do it now or you miss it. Fun is everywhere and the time is anytime. Chances are if you are not having fun now; you are not going to have fun when you get wherever you are going. Think about turning any situation into a private game. Think of the games you played as a child. What made the game fun for you? Play it again now; modify it, change the rules…laugh until the tears run down your legs! Read your church bulletins, read the funniest bumper stickers on cars as you pass them by and watch your pets rock and roll. Life is a barrel of laughs…rolling down the aisles!

5.5

FILL THE HA HA PRESCRIPTION AND LAUGH A MINIMUM OF 15 DAILY LAUGHS A DAY: Make fake prescriptions for other people and yourself. For example, Take laughter 4 times daily—signed, Y.B. Grumpy, MD. Or One hour quiet time --- signed R.E. Lax, MD (Adapted from Laffirmations by Joel Goodman 1995)

Roz Trieber works with organizations to reduce stress and increase productivity using humor and improvisation. For more information on Roz ’s speaking programs, books, cd's and learning programs contact HUMORFUSION at 410.998.9585 or Roz@humorfusion.com. (www.humorfusion.com)

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