LEARNING TO LAUGH

ARD Line

LEARNING TO LAUGH

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. It connects us, lightens our burdens, and keeps things in perspective. We all need humor, play, and celebration in our work, family, and friendships. Being able to laugh helps us solve problems and handle conflicts. A hearty laugh makes us feel good, even after the laughter stops. Humor helps reduce stress. It is a socially-acceptable way of releasing feelings of anger and frustration. It reduces tension and makes us more relaxed.

Learn to laugh at yourself. Humor lets you know it's OK to be human. Laughter keeps you from taking yourself too seriously. If you can live with and laugh at your own flaws, you'll reduce the stress of not always meeting your own expectations.
Laugh together. Nothing in this world is perfect. Neither are co-workers, family, or friends. Sharing the humor that often comes from imperfections binds us closer together instead of separating us.
Use humor wisely. Don't let humor prevent you from dealing with important issues in your life. Let humor help you share openly and talk about feelings and problems. Likewise, don't try to embarrass or hurt people. Rude putdowns are really not funny.
Add humor to your everyday life. Take a 5-10 minute humor break each day. Read jokes, add a note to a humor journal, listen to a funny tape. Rent funny videos or watch TV comedies. If you hear a joke you like, write it down or tell it to someone else. Start looking for the silly or funny things that go on around you.

Written material may be reprinted provided no endorsement of a commercial product is stated or implied. Please credit University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.

ARD Line

Employment First Table of Contents | Cooperative Extension Home Page

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Elbert C. Dickey, Interim Director of Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.