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Giggle, laugh and be silly once in awhile! Made You Smile Back is so excited to present this fun and delightful article about keeping your sense of humor. It’s okay to giggle, laugh and be silly once in awhile.
In this article, Made You Smile Back will explore why laughter is indeed the best medicine and will reveal seven signs that demonstrate a good sense of humor. You shall learn all the incredible health benefits one receives and of course the ‘best of the best’ jokes and tidbits will be shared as well!
So! Who’s ready to read a blog where you are guaranteed to be smiling back when you’re finished!
What does sense of humor really mean anyway? It’s someone who often finds things amusing or funny rather than being serious all the time. I believe we all are born with a sense of humor. Don’t believe me? Go to YouTube and type in ‘laughing babies’!
A sense of humor is built into every human’s brain. It sets us apart from at least most other animals. It is basically a skill of survival and shows up even in dire situations. Of course, depending upon our own personality, one’s sense of humor defines the real you…. and cannot be faked.
Think for a moment. Can you even imagine living without a sense of humor. A world void of laughter or the ability to smile? You can’t because it’s simply not possible. It’s part of our DNA and human evolution.
Who isn’t familiar with court jesters? Throughout history, jesters played a significant role in ancient history and were entertainers usually dressed in colorful garments. Early jesters were popular in Ancient Egypt, and entertained Egyptian pharaohs.
Jesters were also popular with the Aztec people in the 14th to 16th centuries as with the Roman Empire as well. Perhaps they are best known in British England where many royal courts throughout English royal history employed entertainers and most had professional fools, sometimes called licensed fools whose simple job was to make people laugh.
Here’s the deal… if someone can say or do something to evoke another person to smile or laugh… it proves without a doubt that ‘everyone’ has a sense of humor. Its strong attraction is like a magnet and unites people for the common good.
We all need to ‘lighten up’ a bit, don’t you think? Let’s take a moment and really look at those joyful faces of laughter in all those children in the above photo. Remind yourself of how it felt being unconditionally happy and joyful as a child.
The benefits of laughter, being silly, giggling, and just plain being funny is undisputable. Learn the simple power of laughter and humor. It’s fun to share a good laugh and it’s true, laughter is strong medicine.
It draws people together and strengthens your immune system. It helps our mental health when dealing and coping with problems of everyday life. Laughter has the power to transform fear of the unknown into enthusiasm for new possibilities. Take a look at all these following health benefits we derive from being ‘silly’!
Physical Health Benefits
Mental Health Benefits
Social Benefits
Before we dive into what the seven signs are of having a good sense of humor, we first need to discuss the obvious… there are definite different ‘types’ of sense of humor. Humor greatly differs from one person to another. Who doesn’t have a cousin, or an uncle, or friend that always seems to have a dark sense of humor or one who is sharp-witted or even those who are just plain ‘silly’ all the time!
Psychologist Rod Martin, went out to determine and quantify humor and in 2003 he identified what he called the four broad styles of humor:
According to the Journal of Research in Personality, Martin describes these 4 styles of humor: “Affiliative humor, he said, is used “to enhance one’s relationships with others,” and involves engaging in banter and cracking jokes with friends. Self-enhancing humor involves making yourself feel better by finding humor in your situation. Aggressive humor is marked by sarcasm, teasing, and ridicule, and self-defeating humor involves putting yourself down to gain approval from others.
Going further, Martin explains that virtually everyone’s sense of humor is a blend of different humor styles, but many people tend to lean in one direction. Nevertheless, there is a definite difference in having a ‘good and healthy sense of humor’ versus someone who is simply ‘mean-spirited’.
Do YOU have an amazing sense of humor? Are you the type of person that can walk into a room full of people and just make everyone laugh and smile with no effort at all?
If so, you are to be envied, because these are the type of people we all like to hang out with. Why not? Because it makes you feel happy, right? The 7 signs of a good and healthy sense of humor are:
(1) “I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not too sure…!!!”
(2) “I am often asked, is GOOGLE a man or a woman? My simple answer is ‘it’s a woman because it won’t let you finish your sentence without making a suggestion…!!!…”
(3) “Before Instagram, I used to waste so much time sitting around having to imagine what my friends’ food looked like…!!!…”
(4) “My wife isn’t talking to me because apparently I ruined her birthday… I’m not sure how I did that — I didn’t even know it was her birthday…!!!…”
(5) “A client calls to the hotline of an internet service provider: ‘I have a problem, my internet stopped working two days ago, neither I nor my son nor anyone else can access it now…’ ‘I see, do you know what’s the operating system on your PC?’….. ‘Of course I do! It’s Facebook…!!!…'”
(6) “My boss told me to have a good day… so I went home…!!!….”
(7) “Did you hear about the italian chef that died? He pasta way…!!!…”
(8) “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Britney Spears. Britney Spears who? Knock, knock – Oops I did it again…!!!…”
(9) ” Don’t use “beef stew” as a computer password. It’s not stroganoff…!!!…”
(10) “Knock, knock. Who’s there? MadeYa. MadeYa who? Made You Smile Back…!!!…
How many of you remember the viral Facebook video of the ‘Chewbacca Lady’? Well, believe it or not, her name is Candace Payne and she actually lives just 25 minutes from me in Grand Prairie, TX. I just couldn’t end this blog without including her YouTube video. For those of you who remember, you will laugh again… For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about… then you’re in for a real treat! I GUARANTEE you will laugh so hard, you will have tears in your eyes! ? ? ?
Comedian Paul Osincup suggests keeping a humour journal in the same way that you keep a gratitude journal. List 3 funny things every day in your humour journal and over time you will strengthen your funny muscles. This is a great way to improve your mental health.
Being able to laugh easily enables you to build a positive mindset. Here are a few ways to get started:
Read comic strips either in your daily newspaper or online
Watch a YouTube short featuring a stand up comic
Get a joke a day calendar and read the joke for the day every morning
SCIENTISTS so far have not been able to nail down why we laugh. The reasons for laughter are many and varied. We laugh when we are tickled, hear a joke or a funny story or when we recall a funny experience. But we also laugh when we are nervous, confused or embarrassed.
A fit of intense laughter, (the kind where you find it impossible to stop,) often results in tears. This is because the act of laughing causes us to contract our facial muscles. This in turn strains the tear ducts and makes us shed tears. These tears are called reflex tears.
Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of laughter yoga, developed laughter therapy which is used to improve emotional wellness. A bout of hearty laughter releases endorphins resulting in the ‘feel good’ effect that lowers stress and boosts the body’s immune system. But laughter therapy is more than just indulging in a fit of laughter. According to this post, a laughter therapy session has 4 basic steps:
– Clapping and warm-up exercises that help build positive energy in the group.
– Deep breathing exercises that result in mental and physical relaxation.
– Childlike playfulness that helps bring a happy mood and laughter.
– Laughter exercises that may involve playful games and narrating funny experiences. (Source)
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I loved this post so much. Its very important to lighten up and laugh. I love to laugh and it always makes me feel better! Great read!!
Yes I love this! I would go absolutely mad if I couldn’t be silly every now and then. Especially at work, it would be incredibly boring without being able to have a laugh. Thank you for sharing this 🙂
Thanks for the jokes at the end. My son and I had fun reading them and laughing!
Well written article with so much information! I enjoyed reading it.
I really enjoyed the article and laughed along the way.
I think one of the mindset changes having kids gives you is related to humour and laughing. Firstly, they laugh at my jokes, which in itself is a miracle, but watching as they build their sense of humour makes you realise how important, how fundamental laughing is. It is a kids release valve but it is more than that.
What is the first thing a child does after they have been upset? after they have hurt themselves or had a tantrum or been made sad by something? Yes, they laugh. It is healing. It helps you forget. It forges relationships, stops battles and crimes.
It is the oxygen and the water of planet human.
Great post. Not sure about all of the jokes though.
LOL
As someone who apparently bases her self esteem around how funny people think she is, I really appreciate this article. It’s amazing how much a little humor can turn a bad day around.
can’t stop laughing!
oh the video, fabulous.
thanks for sharing this awesome post.
Great article! We just told our 7-year-old yesterday that he’s the court jester of our family! 🤣 Having a sense of humor is soooooo important! None of us are getting out of this life alive, so best not take it so seriously!
What a great article! I 100% agree that laughter is the best medicine.
Love this! Laughing is so important for our mental and physical health. Thanks so much for sharing this great reminder!
LOL. I loved this! Your jokes are awesome and Chewbacca lady rocks!
I love this! Laughter has SO many benefits and we need it more than ever right now. With everything going on, the negativity can feel overwhelming. However, we can find a little light to brighten our day if we just embrace the humour in our daily lives.
Thanks for adding a little brightness to my day! Laughter is such a good thing. I keep trying to find more to smile and laugh about.
Sabrina, thanks for your positive comments. Laughter is so full of benefits and just simply is one of the most pleasurable things we can do and it is FREE! Thanks for sharing.
I needed this today. I did laugh and it was a great read. Thank you.
Gina, thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad I made you smile! Many Blessings.
Oh boy, do I love this post! I am known as the one to lighten the atmosphere and make people laugh. I feel it is my true gift to help lift up people and spread more light around the world. The downside is I also use humor in stressful situations which means I sometimes laugh inappropriately. I’m glad you brought this topic up because being silly every once in a while is fun as well! Great post!
Heather, wow! Thanks so much for your positive comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it. Laughter is definitely so therapeutic!
Beth, you had me giggling to myself. Great post with awesome graphics as always. Life is too short for us not to laugh a lot.
Poovanesh, thanks for your comments. Yes indeed laughter is the best medicine!
Who can’t use a good laugh? Love the insight and energy in your post. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ana, thanks for commenting on my blog concerning being silly once in awhile. Many blessings.
What a great post! My friends used to say don’t laugh so much you gonna get wrinkles soon! But who cares, I laugh and laugh a lot! I enjoy the post a lot and I love this one
“My boss told me to have a good day… so I went home!” ?
Nilakshi, thanks for your comments on my blog post entitled, ‘Giggle, Laugh & Be Silly Once in Awhile’. I’m glad you liked some of my ‘corny’ jokes presented. At least I made you ‘smile back’!
This is great! Being silly and having a laugh is so important!
Krissy, thanks for your comments on my blog on being silly. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one!
What an awesome post, design, graphics, videos, I can tell you put a lot of work into this, plus I indeed smiled back 😀 I’m sharing this to make more people simle!!!
Chris, thanks for your encouraging comments. This indeed was a blog I thoroughly enjoyed writing! Many blessings!
I enjoyed and agree with the point you made about the importance of humor. I also enjoyed Lady Chewbacca. That was great!
Gena, I just laughing along with the Chewbacca Lady. It never fIls to make me laugh. Glad you enjoyed my blog.
Laughing can instantly change your mood, it’s incredible! Loved this break down, it was so interesting!
Amy, Im so glad I was able to make you laugh!
I just loved how you describe and connect your readers emotions with this posts. I really enjoyed reading all quotes and Yes they made me smile:)
Thanks so much for your kind comments! It means alot!
Laughter is the best medicine! The other night we sat at the table after dinner telling my 7 year old funny jokes and he gave us points if we made him laugh. If it didn’t, he would say, “Cheesy!!!!” It was so much fun and a great family bonding time. Thanks for reminding me to laugh!
Patrice, what a delightful story!
Thankful I get to keep my head if I’m not funny enough. You get to keep yours too with the amazing information and jokes you shared.
Kimberlie, Im so glad you enjoyed my jokes and blog!
Great post Beth, made my day! People love being around people who can make them laugh! When you go to group events the person telling the jokes is who they are hanging around. Yes, laughter has great health benefits too! I loved the jokes even though they might be a little ‘corny’.
Denise, thanks for the positive comments! I love making people smile and to bring laughter back into their lives.
You are so totally right! There’s nothing more fun and emotionally freeing as having a super laugh attack. My favourite is laughing babies! But the Chewbacca lady definitely was a good one. Thanks so much for sharing your post always put a smile on my face.
Sasha, thank you for your comments. I love laughing babies as well.
Lovely post. I did smile back and really needed it too! Been at my system all day and it’s so tiring.
Betty, I’m so glad my post did its job. It was indeed a pleasure to write!
I am seriously wiping tears from my eyes. She is so stinking funny. That laugh. I hope you get her on a podcast. I’d love to listen. I gotta find that mask.
Jenny. yes yes yes Im going to try my best to interview her. It doesnt matter how many times I watch that video, I just laugh my head off! Thanks for the great comments.
Love the jokes an positivity! Definitely made me smile!!!
Erika, so glad to hear you like my jokes, some were pretty ‘corny’ I must say! But I’m glad they made you smile!
I was just laughing and being silly with my boys this morning in the car! It made me remember how important it is to laugh. And nothing sounds better than my sons laughing!
Kristen, yes children easily laugh and its so contagious too. I’m so glad you’re enjoying laughing and loving your sons! Take care.
Love it. We should find things to laugh and smile about every day.
Katy, thanks for the positive comments.
I loved this blog! I think many people mix up comedy and humor and this blog expertly focuses on what humor is and is not and what having a “sense of humor” means!
Mernell, yes I agree. It’s one thing to be funny but it’s a completely different when you have a good sense of humor that is displayed daily.
I could not agree anymore! Humor is so important and it really is how we view others. I’ve found if someone is considered “boring” they do not display their sense of humor. If they are friendly and funny, they are clearly showing their sense of humor.
Thanks Tom for your insightful comments.
Really enjoyed this. Some of your ‘jokes.’…..Ha, Ha, Ha. Didn’t know ‘Chewbacca Lady’ lived so close to you. See, Humor is contagious! 🙂 Keep Smiling and keep up the good work!
Andrea, yes the ‘Chewbacca Lady’ lives so close to me. I hope to find out how to contact her and may do a podcast featuring her in the future!