Pump Up your Life With More Laughter

RENEW Pump Up YOUR LIFE WITH

More Laughter

When you laugh, you’re doing more than responding to the mirthfulness of something you’re seeing or experiencing. You’re oxygenating your blood, lowering your blood pressure, revving up your immune system and using your abdominal, facial, respiratory and other muscles, among other healthy things. So even if you think there’s plenty of laughter in your life, you’ll probably benefit from even more. Here are some ways to wring more chuckles, guffaws and giggles out of every day.

BE AROUND OTHERS

Studies have shown we’re anywhere from five to 30 times more likely to laugh when we’re in the company of others. Whether you’re with just your family or in a live audience in the thousands, you’re far more likely to literally LOL. It’s a bonding mechanism we use to show we’re comfortable and appreciative of each other.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Taking up something new, whether it’s learning a new language or learning how to skate, is bound to lead to some stumbles and fumbles, ideally mostly figurative. These are funny, especially when you’re able to laugh at yourself. You can share these experiences with those who are learning along with you, as well as after the fact while recounting the stories to others.

WORK OUT IN FRONT OF FUNNY

If you’re on the treadmill or lifting weights, plant yourself in front of the TV that’s showing I Love Lucy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Muppet Show — whatever kind of silly or snarky material gets you giggling.

START OUT SILLY

Find ways to zap little jolts of humor into your morning routine by using a silly coffee mug, picking one or two comic strips to follow in the newspaper or through your phone, making your English muffins sing or swapping silly jokes with your kids.

HAPPY ENDINGS

laugh, too. It may be more difficult than when you’re bright-eyed in the morning, but bring your evenings to a close with a late-night talk show or sitcom rerun, some gentle laughter from a book by your favorite humorist or by simply sharing a moment with your partner or your pet.