“On average, children laugh 400 times a day, while adults laugh about 15 times. Why the gap? Did we lose something? Have we forgotten the way we used to be? Why is it that children seem to cope with life’s oddities better than adults? Perhaps it’s because they do not fully understand. But I think it is simpler than that – they laugh. As we grow older, we get far too serious. Watch children play. … Everything is fun. They are spontaneous. Only when we become adults do we start to get boring. Do we need to cultivate a different attitude? Humor is in the way we see things, the way we think. It’s an attitude, not an event. Perhaps the key lies in becoming more childlike.” ~ Gary K. Palmer
Life definitely requires its serious moments, but when I find myself becoming overly frazzled and stressed out, a good hearty laugh helps me to relieve the tension.
Laughter works for me, it even has lasting effects. After I have enjoyed a hard, deep laugh, I find myself smiling more often and being more carefree. Now I just need to learn to laugh more than 15 times a day … do I even laugh more than 10 times a day?
I might need to be a little more diligent about this.
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33 Comments
September 11, 2007 at 8:59 PM
As an added benefit, it gives you an ab workout and after kids who couldn’t use one of those?
September 11, 2007 at 9:07 PM
So true! Brian Regan is an excellent choice if you ever need a good (clean) laugh!
September 11, 2007 at 9:09 PM
I can help you with that, just come to my work, it’s a joke a minute.
September 11, 2007 at 9:30 PM
I don’t have much of a sense of humor in my old age but blogging helps me see the funny side of life. Now if I could only see the funny side of my nine year old’s jokes!
September 11, 2007 at 9:36 PM
I know, I have been saying for years that the older I get the less I get those good, hearty belly-laughs… and they feel so GOOD! My kids are always laughing, and I’m such a party-pooper, “be quiet, calm down, be still!” I wish I could bottle it and take it like a vitamin. I could make a million bucks!
September 11, 2007 at 9:51 PM
Great tip! I have recently started to smile all the time. It’s strange but it makes a big difference. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed my expression “at rest” was more of a frown. Yikes! Nothing like a good frown to set in wrinkles and express a general feel of displeasure to my children. Not what I had in mind. Now I try to practice smiling whenever I can.
Even in the early morning (okay, early for me which, as a night owl isn’t all that early) and all alone in my room, I smile right away. Amazing how that transforms my morning.
Thanks for sharing!
Duckabush Blog
September 11, 2007 at 9:55 PM
You are so right.
We totally need to laugh more. Laugh lines are way better than frown lines anyway, right? =)
September 11, 2007 at 11:00 PM
I tend to laugh at all the stupid things I do which means that I am pretty much constantly laughing and that people are staring at me like I am strange. Oh well, at least I think it’s funny right?
September 12, 2007 at 6:22 AM
CONVICTED! Oh, and your little soccer player is truly adorable.
September 12, 2007 at 7:06 AM
I think it is harder for people like me who spend so much time alone for most of the year. I work at home so am alone and unless someone calls you with something funny or you are reading something funny or something just happens to hit your funny bone, I may not laugh much at all. Thanks for the great reminder. I do think laughter keeps us young.
September 12, 2007 at 7:30 AM
Such a simple reminder but so very important.
September 12, 2007 at 7:39 AM
Two nights ago, my tweeners (who share a room) got the giggles and could not stop laughing–about laughing!
September 12, 2007 at 8:05 AM
Yay! For Laughter!
Humor is SO VERY IMPORTANT in our home
Sandy
September 12, 2007 at 8:28 AM
I loved reading that article! Thanks for reminding us all to relax and have fun every once in a while!
September 12, 2007 at 8:28 AM
that is so true, although I’d never thought about it before!
September 12, 2007 at 8:34 AM
I love laughing but do it less and less as time passes. But my little boy laughs at everything. It makes me laugh when he giggles.
September 12, 2007 at 8:42 AM
I loved this WFMW. So simple and so true =D
September 12, 2007 at 9:48 AM
You are awesome.
What more can I say.
I just read three awesome posts in a row and am inspired yet again.
September 12, 2007 at 11:20 AM
400 vs. 15? Fortunately, I married someone who keeps me closer to the former number but we all need to lighten our load. And evidently moods!
September 12, 2007 at 11:21 AM
True.
Somewhere, not too far from here, there’s laughtherapy given.
People start with fake-laughing, but soon it’s real laughter.
September 12, 2007 at 12:23 PM
I love this post! So true.
I am surprised everyday when my kids show that they have a sense of humor. I see their little self esteem meters rise whenever they can make mom laugh.
September 12, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Ah… you are so right on!!
Love this post!!
And I love your blog… love it!
- Audrey
http://www.pinksandblues.com
September 12, 2007 at 6:37 PM
It’s SO true. Laughter really is the best medicine.
September 12, 2007 at 7:23 PM
Thanks for the reminder!
September 12, 2007 at 7:34 PM
I don’t even think I come close to 15. That’s sad. Something to think about though. Life is too short to be so… uh, laughless!
September 13, 2007 at 7:46 AM
I definitely need to laugh more – don’t know that I could match my kids at 400, but I need to strive for that. Maybe I’d be less stressed and a better mother. Thanks! I needed to “hear” this!
September 13, 2007 at 8:48 AM
Thanks for the reminder! When I was first married, I was at my parents’ house. Mom and Dad were arguing. I had the audacity to advise them: When K and I are stressed at each other, we just laugh instead of argue! Six years later, I’m eating my words…I need to revisit this practice! My kiddos do keep me laughing all day–the trick is not to laugh at the naughty stuff!
September 13, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Where do you get all these amazing quotes?
You are so very, very brilliant. It probably doesn’t feel like it from where you’re sitting, but you have such a fabulous way of expressing your feelings that gets right to the heart of it (and the heart of your readers).
September 13, 2007 at 1:56 PM
After reading about how we need to laugh more, I decided I was just going to laugh by myself. In the car. I was frustrated with a little situation, and alone in the car, just started laughing. All kinds of laughs. Big guffaws, chuckles, laughing. It wore me out! And it made me feel better. I’m sure the people who saw me in the car thought I must be crazy, but I had a good time.
September 13, 2007 at 2:44 PM
I wholeheartedly agree… laughter is good medicine.
September 14, 2007 at 9:07 PM
[...] according to an ancient Irish proverb: “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s [...]
September 20, 2007 at 4:58 PM
Very true!!! I’m writing this as Belle is laughing REALLY LOUDLY about something. Her laughter is so cute.
October 1, 2007 at 3:21 AM
[...] Works-For-Me: Laughter [...]