What is the greatest reward of being alive?
Is it chocolate, sex, ice cream, tropical
vacations, hugs from children, a perfect
night’s sleep, or the satisfaction of a job well
done? A thousand people, a thousand
different answers. But one supreme
pleasure that spans all people is
laughter.
Little can compare to the feeling of a deep,
complete, heartfelt laughing spell. No matter
your age, wealth, race, or living situation, life
is good when laughter is frequent.
Life is also healthier. Research finds that
humor can help you cope better with pain,
enhance your immune system, reduce
stress, even help you live longer. Laughter,
doctors and psychologists agree, is an
essential component of a healthy, happy life.
As Mark Twain once said, “Studying humor
is like dissecting a frog — you may know a
lot but you end up with a dead frog.”
Nonetheless, we’re giving it a try. Here are
8 tips for getting — or growing — your
sense of humor, based partly on the idea
that you can’t be funny if you don’t
understand what funny is.
1. First, regain your smile.
A smile and a
laugh aren’t the same thing, but they do live
in the same neighborhood. Be sure to smile
at simple pleasures — the sight of kids
playing, a loved one or friend approaching,
the successful completion of a task, the
witnessing of something amazing or
humorous. Smiles indicate that stress and
the weight of the world haven’t overcome
you. If your day isn’t marked by at least a
few dozen, then you need to explore
whether you are depressed or overly
stressed.
2. Treat yourself to a comedy festival.
Rent
movies like Meet the Parents; Young
Frankenstein; Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure;
Monty Python and the Holy Grail; This Is
Spinal Tap; Animal House; Blazing Saddles;
Trading Places; Finding Nemo. Reward
yourself frequently with the gift of laughter,
Hollywood style.
3. Recall several of the most embarrassing
moments in your life. Then find the humor
in them.
Now practice telling stories
describing them in a humorous way. It
might take a little exaggeration or
dramatization, but that’s what good
storytelling is all about. By revealing your
vulnerable moments and being self-
deprecating, you open yourself up much
more to the humorous aspects of life.
4. Anytime something annoying and
frustrating occurs, turn it on its head and
find the humor.
Sure, you can be angry at
getting splashed with mud, stepping in dog
poop, or inadvertently throwing a red towel
in with the white laundry. In fact, that is
probably the most normal response. But it
doesn’t accomplish anything other than to
put you in a sour mood. Better to find a way
to laugh at life’s little annoyances. One way
to do that: Think about it as if it happened
to someone else, someone you like — or
maybe someone you don’t. In fact, keep
running through the Rolodex in your head
until you find the best person you can think
of to put in your current predicament. Laugh
at him, then laugh at yourself!
5. Read the comics every day and cut out
the ones that remind you of your life.
Post
them on a bulletin board or the refrigerator
or anywhere else you can see them
frequently.
6. Sort through family photographs and
write funny captions or one-liners to go
with your favorites.
When you need a pick-
me-up, pull out the album.
7. Every night at dinner, make family
members share one funny or even
embarrassing moment of their day.
8. When a person offends you or makes
you angry, respond with humor rather
than hostility .
For instance, if someone is
always late, say, “Well, I’m glad you’re not
running an airline.” Life is too short to turn
every personal affront into a battle.
However, if you are constantly offended by
someone in particular, yes, take it seriously
and take appropriate action. But for
occasional troubles, or if nothing you do can
change the person or situation, take the
humor response.

source: http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/tips