Aging with Humor and Perspective

A sense of humor can be a powerful asset in life, no matter what age you are. But as we get older, it can become even more important. Humor can help us to:

• Cope with stress and challenges. When life gets tough, it can be helpful to have a good laugh. Humor can help us to see the lighter side of things and to put our problems into perspective. Hey if we can't laugh at ourselves, we should!
• Maintain a positive attitude. A positive attitude is essential for good health and well-being. Humor can help us to stay positive, even when things are tough. As stated in an earlier post, a positive attitude goes a long way with our health and wellness.
• Connect with others. Humor is a great way to build relationships and to connect with others. It can help us to feel more connected to the world around us. I know when I walk into a crowded room, the people I want to sit with are the ones that are laughing and having a good time. Just like the ladies in the above painting, I want to sit with them. Goodness knows what those ladies are laughing about.
• Live longer. Studies have shown that people who have a good sense of humor tend to live longer than those who don't. Well I shall live to be 100! Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit warped, but a sense of humor nonetheless.

So how can you age with humor and perspective?

• Surround yourself with funny people. Spend time with people who make you laugh. This could be friends, family, or even just people you meet online. Grab some friends and go out for a fun evening.
• Watch funny movies and TV shows. There's nothing wrong with a good laugh. Make time for the things that make you smile. My choice of television is British tele. The Brits know how to laugh and have fun. I love the humor. My recommendation is to watch an oldie but a goodie "Keeping Up Appearances". 
• Read funny books. There are many great books out there that will make you laugh. Pick up a funny novel or a collection of jokes. You can even look for Facebook pages that are humorous. Two that I recommend are "Two Drunk Ladies" and "Oldtimers". They both have some very funny posts.
• Listen to funny podcasts. There are many funny podcasts available online. This is a great way to get your daily dose of laughter. 
• Take a humor class. There are many humor classes available online and in person. This is a great way to learn how to use humor more effectively in your life. If you Google "humor classes" , a lot will show up. In all seriousness, if you struggle with having a sense of humor, check it out.

It's also important to remember that humor is subjective. What one person finds funny, another person might not. We can't judge. If you're like me, I know which company I keep at likes certain humor. And again, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. Self-deprecating humor can be a great way to connect with others and to build confidence.

Aging with humor and perspective doesn't mean that you have to be a clown or that you have to laugh at everything. It just means that you have the ability to see the lighter side of life and to find the humor in even the most difficult situations.

Here are some additional tips for aging with humor and perspective:

• Don't take yourself too seriously. It's okay to make mistakes. Everyone does. So don't beat yourself up about it. Just laugh it off and move on. If you fall and the "hurt" you feel is embarrassment, laugh it off. Honestly, watching someone fall can be funny - AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT HURT! 
• Be open-minded. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if they're outside of your comfort zone. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy them.
• Be kind to yourself. As we get older, it's easy to start focusing on our flaws. But it's important to remember that everyone has flaws. So don't be too hard on yourself. Just focus on your strengths and on the things you love about yourself.
• Celebrate your accomplishments. No matter how small, it's important to celebrate your accomplishments. This will help you to stay motivated and to feel good about yourself.

Aging with humor and perspective is a journey, not a destination. It's something that you have to work at every day. But if you're willing to put in the effort, it can be a very rewarding experience. So don't be afraid to laugh, to learn, and to grow. Most of all KEEP LAUGHING! A good hard belly laugh is good for you!