A good sense of humor isn’t just a way to make your workday more pleasurable, it can also help you perform better (and get ahead. Having a good sense of humor makes you more enjoyable to be around. You might also do better at work (as long as you don’t go overboard).
As the old saying goes, “life’s better when you’re laughing” — and no one knows that more than good-humored individuals. Those who have a good sense of humor not only see the value in making others laugh, but they prioritize laughter themselves. And as a result, they’re healthier and happier for it: Studies show that smiling instantly boosts your mood and laughing can soothe tension and melt stress.
Although not of many of us would publicly make fun of their pitfalls, people with a light-hearted attitude do practice more self-acceptance than most. Good-humored individuals embrace their flaws and laugh them off (and let them go) in a healthy way. And it’s something we all should work toward: Self-acceptance is a key to a happier life, but it’s not always practiced all that often.
A lot of times, we say things purely to please others. We flatter friends or colleagues by praising a change they made. We bring up topics that we know others might be interested in. However, when it comes to being funny, don’t tweak your sense of humor to cater to other people. Instead, start with what amuses you. Then, if you think the other person will also be amused with it, share it with them. You’ll be funniest when you find something amusing and delightful. That is the starting point, before you wonder about other people’s opinions.
Laughter truly is the best medicine — and people who have a good sense of humor use it to their advantage. Those giggles can stimulate the organs, improve your immune system and relieve pain.
With that said, even though you’re looking at your own sense of humor, you should definitely consider your audience and the situation. Even if a remark is absolutely tear-jerking, knee-slapping, hilarious, it can be considered in poor taste if you say it in the wrong situation. This type of observation and restraint is a whole other can of worms.
You don’t have to be funny all the time (or even on demand), so don’t expect that of yourself. Don’t let other people expect that of you. When you catch yourself trying to be funny, slow down. Once you say something to the world, it’s out there. If it’s about yourself, it can be perceived as self-deprecating and can be funny while offending as few people as possible. If you find something amusing, ask yourself—will it offend someone? Is now an appropriate time to say it?
You don’t need to seize every single opportunity to be funny. If you’re in the middle of a bad joke, just end it. “You know what, now that I’m telling it, it’s not as funny as it sounded in my head,” can be a bit of an awkward end and bruise your ego a little bit, but it saves everyone time and patience. In the long run, they’ll respect your taste.
