Nothing makes me laugh (9 ways to laugh)
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OptimistMinds
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
The following article will provide you with some fun things you can do if you feel “Nothing makes me laugh”.
There are times when we hardly feel like laughing at anything. Nothing seems funny and joyous. If you are stuck in this mental state for more than 2 weeks, you should get help from a professional. Otherwise, here are some very cool things you can do to put back laughter in your life. You will also get to know the various biological and mental benefits of laughter. I hope the article helps you recover.
Nothing makes you laugh?
Relax friend. You may not feel like laughing at the stupid jokes people crack because you are turning into a mature version of yourself? Or maybe you are too stressed being in a toxic relationship or a stressful job.
Laughing and smiling is the most required emotion a human being needs to make them emotionally strong and stable. If you feel you cannot find any specific reason for your lack of pleasure and humor in anything, it may happen that you have anhedonia which is a common symptom of depression. Before you approach a therapist, you should help yourself out with the following simple self-help strategies.
Make laughter a task
When nothing is making you laugh, discipline yourself. Incorporate laughter in your daily routine. Wake up in the morning and resolve to laugh atleast twice a day.
We all follow a routine everyday. Why not add laughter in it. Yes it works. Believe me.
Choose any random video funny from YouTube and give it a watch. Even if you don’t find anything funny, laugh just because you have taken such a resolution. Afterall you don’t need a reason to laugh.
Smile more often
We all know, we smile when we are happy. Did you know it happens the other way around too?
Dr. Isha Gupta a neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine explains, a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress.
Studies show a smile induces happiness. Even if you are not happy and nothing is making you smile, broaden your face muscles up, lift your cheeks and give yourself a dose of happiness with a simple smile.
Call up a funny friend of yours
Calling up a funny friend of yours will make you socialize and also find a reason to laugh at.
Watch stand-up comedies
YouTube is an abode of content full of fun stuff. Try watching stand-up comedies which will absolutely make you laugh. Usually stand-up comedians make puns on very simple issues and experiences we have in our daily lives. That will make you relate to those puns and get humour out of it.
Some extremely famous YouTube videos and comedians are linked here :
https://youtu.be/88bD9f2MivI ( Trevor Noah is my favourite)
World’s 10 Best Stand-Up Comedians
Watch a funny tv series
Find shows that you will really enjoy. Shows like Big Bang Theory and Friends are classics that you can watch anytime to lighten your mood.
Specifically, limit your TV viewing to shows that make you think, and shows that make you laugh. Here are a few shows that will make you laugh:
Parks and Recreation, Arrested Development, The Good Place, Bojack Horseman, Schitt’s Creek, Sex Education, Big Mouth, New Girl, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Read a funny book
A lot of people do not like sticking their head in front of the screen all the time to entertain themselves. For them reading funny books can help.
A genuinely funny book is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Here are a few funny books you can get started with:
- Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, which is a war comedy.
- Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a science fiction comedy.
- Scoop by Evelyn Waugh (1938), it lampoons the absurdity of 20th century journalism.
- Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis, the funniest description of a hangover ever put to paper.
- The Liar’s Dictionary by Eley Williams (2020), an adventure playground for lovers of letters, a cornucopia of clever wordplay and astute observation.
Get a pet
The furry animal will make you happy and become your emotional support at times of despair and mood fluctuation.
Studies show that interaction with dogs makes us happy and emotionally stable. It has been found that people who spend a lot of time with dogs have low blood pressure and exhibit lesser stress and anxiety. Just playing with dogs has been shown to elevate oxytocin and dopamine, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.
Learn to laugh at yourself
At times we are so serious about life, our profession and relationship that we forget life is so simple if we perceive all of it simple.
Our reality is just an interpretation of what we think at this moment. So just look yourself at the mirror and laugh at your imperfections. Laugh at the fact that you don’t find anything funny. Just laugh at your own stupid thoughts and activities. Crack a joke on yourself on how you failed an exam and laugh out louder to make things seem simple and easy.
Learning to laugh at yourself takes some of the pressure off, and it will allow you to be more authentic and vulnerable (both of which are desirable character traits).
Discover a new comic strip
Here is a list of rare comic strips :
- Action Comics
- Detective Comics
- Marvel Comics
- All-American Comics
- Adventure Comics
- Detective Comics
- New Adventure
Try to join a laughter club
In laughter clubs, you are made to exercise in the form of laughing.
Laughter yoga (Hasyayoga) is a modern exercise involving prolonged voluntary laughter. This type of yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides similar physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter.
According to the Laughter Yoga University, “Laughter Yoga sessions are led by a laughter leader or teacher, who controls the laughter session, explains and gives commands to start and complete different Laughter Exercises. The leader guides the members to start and complete laughter exercises together for improved group dynamic.
During most Laughter Yoga exercises, group members keep moving, and establish eye contact with others in the group. Most laughter sessions focus on enjoyment, rather than force, when doing laughter exercises”.
Benefits of laughing :
” Laughter is the best medicine”. A happy mood makes a person live longer.
There are numerous benefits of laughter on our emotional and physical well-being. Let’s look at them :
- Laughter relaxes the whole body
- Laughter boosts the immune system.
- Laughter triggers the release of endorphins
- Laughter protects the heart
- Laughter burns calories
- Laughter stops distressing emotions
- Laughter helps you relax and recharge
- Laughter draws you closer to others
- Laughter may act as a natural antidepressant.
- you breathe better after laughing.
- Laughter calms stress hormones.
- Improves Memory Recall
Conclusion
The above article provides you with some fun things you can do if you feel “Nothing makes me laugh”. The benefits of laughter are also well understood.
FAQs: Nothing makes me laugh
What does it mean if you have a silent laugh?
Silent laughter is a form of laughing yoga
Why do I not laugh?
Relax friend. You may not feel like laughing at the stupid jokes people crack because you are turning into a mature version of yourself? Or maybe you are too stressed being in a toxic relationship or a stressful job.
Laughing and smiling is the most required emotion a human being needs to make them emotionally strong and stable. If you feel you cannot find any specific reason for your lack of pleasure and humor in anything, it may happen that you have anhedonia which is a common symptom of depression.
Why do I laugh at nothing?
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a condition that’s characterized by episodes of sudden uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying.
Pseudobulbar affect typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries, which might affect the way the brain controls emotion.
Is laughing to yourself for nothing normal?
At times we are so serious about life, our profession and relationship that we forget life is so simple if we perceive all of it simple.
Our reality is just an interpretation of what we think at this moment. So just look yourself at the mirror and laugh at your imperfections. Laugh at the fact that you don’t find anything funny. Just laugh at your own stupid thoughts and activities. Crack a joke on yourself on how you failed an exam and laugh out louder to make things seem simple and easy.
Learning to laugh at yourself takes some of the pressure off, and it will allow you to be more authentic and vulnerable (both of which are desirable character traits).
How do you laugh in French?
French: hahaha, héhéhé, hihihi, hohoho; also MDR
How do you laugh in Korean?
‘ㅋ’, is a Korean Jamo consonant representing a “k” sound, and ‘ㅎ’ represents an “h” sound. Both “ㅋㅋㅋ” and “ㅎㅎㅎ” represent laughter.
What’s the funniest YouTube video ever?
13. ” A Child” Vine.
Hilarious Jack Russell Goes Crazy with Excitement.
Hi, I’m Ed Asner.
Sulfur Hexafluoride Blooper.
Rammstein vs Cookie Monster.
Head Smashes Board.
Look at this Graph.
The Brakes.
What does a laughter therapist do?
Laughter therapy may include laughter exercises, clowns, and comedy movies, books, games, and puzzles.
Can laughing too much kill you?
Asphyxiation. Death from laughter can also occur if laughing too hard leads to asphyxiation or suffocation.
Does faking a smile make us happy?
We all know, we smile when we are happy. Did you know it happens the other way around too?
Dr. Isha Gupta a neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine explains, a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress.
Studies show a smile induces happiness. Even if you are not happy and nothing is making you smile, broaden your face muscles up, lift your cheeks and give yourself a dose of happiness with a simple smile.
References: