Are You Laughing? Part IV

I hope your weekend is going great! 

Here’s the fourth post in our series on the importance of laughter in our lives.   Here’s part one.  Here’s part two.  Here’s part three.

Part Four

Psychologist Willibald Ruch is one of the world’s leading researchers on humor. Here is one of Willibald’s research sites.  He’s a good guy and a great researcher.

Willibald has found in his research that “habitual laughter can affect physiological changes for the better in musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immunological, and/or neural systems.” 

Ruch goes on to write in his chapter on humor in Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman’s book, Character Strengths and Virtues, that individuals who have the strength of humor “would strongly endorse such statements as the following:

-         Whenever my friends are in a gloomy mood, I try to tease them out of it.

-         I welcome the opportunity to brighten someone else’s day with laughter.

-         Most people would say I am fun to be with.

-         I try to add some humor to whatever I do.

-         I never allow a gloomy situation to take away my sense of humor.

-         I can usually find something to laugh or joke about even in trying situations.”

We value people in our lives who consistently know how to cheer us up and increase our enjoyment in life.  We all appreciate a good laugh. 

We should be grateful anytime we can answer “yes” to the question, “Are you laughing?” 

Humor is good for life.

This week: 

Think about the important people in your life.  How could you bring a little more humor to your relationships this week?  What could you do to have some fun with the people you care about?

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Comments

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Erik,

That's great! Send best to your Dad. Willibald is a good guy. Small world. Congrats on your humor writing. If you have a link to your work, send it along.

Best to you,

David

[Erik Deckers]

David,

I stumbled across your blog completely by accident, finding it on an AllTop page (I never visit AllTop).

I've actually met Willibald Ruch, and my dad (Dr. Lambert Deckers, a psychology professor at Ball State University) did some humor research with him back in the 1990s. Ruch came to the US for a visit, and when my dad went on sabbatical one semester, he spent several weeks with Ruch, working on a couple of studies.

I've become a humor writer, focusing on the applied side of humor, while my dad remains firmly entrenched on the theoretical side.

[David J. Pollay]

Thanks, U.D. All the best, David

[Undergraduate Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!

[David J. Pollay]

Great to hear from you, Lil. Just looking for more humor will bring more of it to you. And your puppy sure seems to be helping your humor mission! That's great.

Best to you,
David

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Ana,

Great to hear from you. I'll post some ideas as you suggest. There are a number of ways we can bring out our humor even more.

Best to you,
David

[Lil]

Thanks David, I am trying to put more humor in my life; I tend to be too serious. I appreciate the positive attitude, and I think I succeed in that quest most of the time. Your series has helped so very much
Our little puppy makes me smile and laugh right out aloud. That's good. Thanks again, lil

[Ana]

Is it possible to improve good humour?
I'd like to see you write a post about that.