I think people sometimes underestimate the phenomenal effects of laughing. You have to be able to laugh at yourself, laugh at others, laugh with others. Some folks are just too serious all of the time. We all get along better when we are laughing. Babies, young kids, teenagers, adults. It's important to find something, anything to laugh about everyday.

No matter what's going on in our lives, there will always be something to laugh at even in the face of darkness. I distinctly recall that some of the best laughing moments with my family have happened during the most unfortunate times ... like when gathering after a funeral and sharing stories about our loved one. Of course there are just as many moments of laughter during family reunions, weddings, and other celebrations.

If you're a bit stressed and just don't find much funny these days, here are my six suggestions.

1. Choose a partner who makes you laugh. If you are currently in a relationship with someone who isn't making you laugh and you aren't making them laugh, a life of misery awaits you. I get it, everyone isn't funny, but someone in that relationship had better be funny. The funnier half can be responsible for their own laughter, and the other half just needs to be able to laugh at them. If you're not laughing in your relationship, something is wrong.

2. We all have a favorite movie, sitcom, or even just a favorite comedian, so watch them whenever you feel like a good laugh. Consider it your medicine, your mood enhancer, your stress reliever.

3. Social media is your all access pass to material that will give you immediate bouts of laughter. Personally, I think the random funny videos with puppies/dogs are priceless. Additionally, I think Twitter is the funniest place to be on social media and not feel too guilty about your scrolling addiction. You don't even have to be an active participant on Twitter. Simply go look at what's trending, and you are certain to find something worthwhile for your daily dosage of laughter. Granted, some of it is mean-spirited, but there's enough there that isn't.

4. Use your friends and family to keep the laughs coming. We all have at least a couple of friends (I hope so) who are funny and a few family members who are belly-aching funny . I know I do. In fact, some of the funniest people I've ever met are in my family (yeah I know, you think your family is hilarious too).

5. There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of a baby or a little kid laughing. Go find a laughing child on the internet and you won't be able to help falling into a laughing fit yourself.

6. Rely on your memories to bring laughter to you. Remember those special moments in the past that were extremely funny, and you will indeed laugh all over again.

Thanks for reading! What are you doing to keep laughter present in your life?

#laughter #life