Ask Aunt B

Dear Aunt B,

I don’t laugh enough. I know it is good for you, because it feels so good. I just want more of it in my life.

Belly Laugh

Dear Belly Laugh,

I am right with you on this one. I want to laugh more. Sometimes I just stay way too serious and I want to change that as well. These times can be very serious and some of us do very serious work. It can be hard to make the switch into more lighthearted times. It might feel like there is no time for this silliness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Silliness is even more important in this serious time.

What do you do to try to make the transition from serious to more relaxed? Relaxing is a good way to start. Stop taking yourself so seriously is another. Things are very seldom quite as serious as we make them.

Watch funny movies, lots of them. Spend time with people that are funny. Look around your environment for funny lighthearted experiences.

There are all different types of funny. Some of us like slapstick humor. Slapstick humor involves exaggerated humor. If you are old, think “Three Stooges”. If you are younger think of some of Jim Carrey’s movies, such as Dumb and Dumber among many others. Slapstick humor is not for everyone. Good news, there are lots of other types of humor.

Observational humor is the type that allows some of us to just observe things happening around us and find the humor in those things.

Anecdotal humor refers to comical personal stories. These stories can be exaggerated or straight up exactly how it came down. This is my favorite. Named after the word anecdote (which stems from the Greek term meaning “unpublished”); refers to comic personal stories that may be true or partly true but embellished.

There is self deprecating humor which is actually funny. Some individuals really have this one mastered. One that I have just discovered is Jim Gafferty. I like him because I find his humor pretty clean and can be enjoyed by most audiences.

There is juvenile humor often based on silly pranks or immature behaviors.

I enjoy spending time with individuals who have a dry sense of humor. This type of humor can often take a minute to actually comprehend. I love it.

It does a heart good to laugh. There are many health benefits to laughter. Whatever you pick, enjoy.

Love,

Aunt B

If you would like to send Aunt B a question please email your question to news@forneymessenger. com.