Updated: 06/21/2023
When was the last time you laughed? Do you find yourself thinking, “I don’t laugh anymore.” For many people, laughter has become a rarity. To them, nothing is funny anymore. They just can’t laugh anymore. For them, life is just too hard and too serious. We go to work, come home, take care of our responsibilities, and that’s it. There’s no time for laughter. But is that really living?
Read: Why do I feel so dumb?
Importance Of Laughter
Indeed, laughter is powerful medicine. It brings individuals together in ways that cause the body to go through positive emotional and physical changes. Your immune system is boosted, your mood is improved, your pain is reduced, and you have been shielded from the negative effects of stress thanks to laughter. Nothing works more quickly or consistently to rebalance your mind and body than a great laugh. A sense of humor helps you cope with your problems, can improve focus, gives you hope, keeps you grounded, makes you feel connected to others, and keeps you aware. Additionally, it allows you to overcome anger and be more forgiving more quicker.
The capacity for frequent and effortless laughter is a powerful tool for overcoming obstacles, improving relationships, and promoting both physical and emotional well-being.
Learn what to do if you can’t stop crying because your pet died.
Why I Don’t Laugh Anymore
So why is it that nothing is funny and you can’t laugh anymore? You might think it’s because we’re afraid to let go and have fun. Maybe we’re so focused on our responsibilities that we don’t have time for laughter. Or maybe we’ve just forgotten how to laugh. But, more likely, it could an issue with your nervous system.
You may lose the ability to laugh out loud if your nervous system activation rises during the course of your lifetime. People who observe this change in themselves may claim to be “not feeling like my old self” or “tapped out”.
There are those people who, in fact, were never able to laugh easily in the first place.
It’s important to not give up. I have found that as long as you decide to do something about it, you can change the fact that you can’t laugh anymore.
It might surprise you to hear not everybody has the ability to laugh out loud or experience a hearty laugh. This heavily depends on the nervous system’s ability to handle the activation required for such a bodily response. (Your body’s “activation” is a physically felt indicator of the nervous system’s charge.)
Additionally, the ability is mostly determined by the neuropathways that were likely established during infancy. The positive news is that these pathways can be optimized. Thanks to our evolution, our nervous systems can indeed learn.
Laughter is thought to be an activity of the right brain, which allows us to feel balanced. It does so, among other things, by using what is called discharge capability. Discharge is basically the ability to release, or let go.
An efficient nervous system can monitor and control energy efficiently. In other words, when the nervous system is stimulated (or activated), it gains energy and subsequently expels it in the appropriate ways.
If we have a healthy neural system, we go through normal cycles of activation and discharge throughout the day in a natural and efficient manner.
The latest therapies (especially right-brain-based ones like body psychotherapy) make better use of the good things in our life without resorting to mindless mystical thinking. They accomplish this by directly altering how the nervous system reacts. With practice, you can overcome the feeling of “I don’t laugh anymore.”
I recommend speaking to a therapist who can help you figure out exactly why nothing makes you laugh anymore. Find one at BetterHelp now!
Feeling Stuck and Unsure About Your Next Steps?
Discover the Guidance You Need with BetterHelp’s Online Therapists.
Imagine a Life with a Trained Advisor, Guiding You Through Life’s Toughest Challenges.
Begin Your Healing Journey with BetterHelp Now and Receive 20% Off of Your First Month.
.
Learn To Laugh Again
We all can choose to be happy. We can choose to be happier by putting our attention on the positive aspects of life, and this will help us start laughing again. In my experience, it’s best to start by smiling. In fact, according to research, even simply smiling intentionally by holding a pencil in your teeth makes you happier. Proprioceptive psychology research demonstrates that the same process that causes people to smile when they are pleased also occurs when they are not. People will experience a variety of emotions and thoughts when you convince them to behave in a certain way, This is why I emphasize the necessity of always reminding ourselves to smile.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress of life and forget how to have fun. However, when we take a step back and remember how to laugh, it can do wonders for our outlook on life. Laughter is one of the best medicines out there, and it’s free! Here are five tips to help you learn to laugh again.
1. Make Friends With Fun People
Fun people make life more enjoyable, and they’re the perfect people to turn to when you need a good laugh or some excitement.
2. Watch Comedy
You may be thinking that nothing is funny anymore. However, a study conducted by the University of Missouri-Columbia found that people who watched a comedy video once a week were more cheerful and felt better about their lives than those who didn’t watch any comedy videos. The study participants who watched comedy videos also reported less stress and fewer health problems.
So if you’re feeling down, stressed out, or just generally unhappy, watching a comedy video may be the perfect way to lift your spirits and learn to laugh again. Comedy is a great way to relieve stress and can help improve your overall mood. The next time you find yourself thinking, “nothing makes me laugh anymore”, search for new comedians on YouTube.
3. Laugh At Yourself
It is so important to be able to laugh at yourself. When you can find humor in your own mistakes and weaknesses, it makes life a lot easier. So don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself – in fact, learn to love it! Laughing at yourself is one of the best ways to stay humble, and it’s a great way to show that you’re not taking yourself too seriously. So go ahead and have some fun – laugh until your belly hurts!
4. Find Humor, Even In Bad Situations
In order to find humor in bad situations, you must first find the funny side of life. It might seem difficult to do at times, but if you look hard enough, you will find something to make you laugh. Even when life seems to be crumbling down around you, it is essential that you find some way to laugh. So the next time something bad happens, try not to take it so seriously. Instead, look for the funny side and laugh it off.
5. Play More
In our constantly busy lives, it’s often difficult to find time for play. We’re so focused on work, errands, and other obligations that we forget to take a break and have some fun. But play is important. It helps us relieve stress, recharge our batteries, and have some fun.
Schedule time each day or week to do something you enjoy – something that makes you happy. Whether it’s reading, playing a sport, playing board games, going to a playground, going for walks, or spending time with friends and family, make sure you set aside time for play. Be open to new experiences and adventures. Try something you’ve never done before – go skydiving, take a dance class, or visit a new city.
Laugh Again With These Resources
In this section, you’ll find a collection of resources that I’ve personally chosen to help bring more laughter and positivity into your life. These tools, ranging from books to activities, are designed to inspire joy, reduce stress, and help you rediscover the healing power of laughter.
“Laugh Again Hope Again: Two Books to Inspire a Joy-Filled Life” is a book that sparks joy and hope. Written by Charles R. Swindoll, it combines two uplifting works that draw on the wisdom of Paul and Peter. This book is a great pick for anyone looking to infuse their life with positivity and find happiness in every situation. It’s like having a friend who reminds you to smile and stay hopeful, no matter what. Get it on Amazon today.
“Laughter Therapy: How to Laugh About Everything in Your Life That Isn’t Really Funny” is a transformative guide by Annette Goodheart. This book is a treasure trove of insights that teaches you how to harness the power of laughter for healing and connection. It’s not just about jokes; it’s about changing your perspective and finding joy in the unexpected. With 25 practical ways to rekindle your laughter, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh, uplifting approach to life. Grab it on Amazon now.
“Adult Coloring Book for Good Vibes” is a delightful escape that combines creativity and positivity. This book, created by Elisabeth Huffman and Hue Coloring, offers a unique blend of motivational sayings and inspirational quotes, all waiting to be brought to life with your choice of colors. It’s a perfect way to unwind, de-stress, and infuse your day with good vibes. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a coloring newbie, this book is a fun and uplifting way to express yourself. Pick up a copy on Amazon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning to laugh again is key to living a happy and fulfilling life. By finding humor in everyday situations, we can reduce stress, improve our mood, and increase our overall well-being. So, the next time something goes wrong, don’t be so quick to get upset. Take a step back, relax, and try to find the funny side of things. Who knows? You may just find that you’re able to laugh again.
Feeling Stuck and Unsure About Your Next Steps?
Discover the Guidance You Need with BetterHelp’s Online Therapists.
Imagine a Life with a Trained Advisor, Guiding You Through Life’s Toughest Challenges.
Begin Your Healing Journey with BetterHelp Now and Receive 20% Off of Your First Month.
.
Leave a Reply