Improve your sense of humor

Are you worried that you don't have much – or any – sense of humor? No problem. Humor can be learned. In fact, growing or honing your sense of humor may be easier than you think. Boost your sense of humor with these tips:

• Surround yourself with humor. Find a few simple items that make you chuckle. Examples include photos, greeting cards or comic strips. Then hang them up at home or in your office. Or collect them in a file or notebook. Keep funny texts, memes, movies, TV shows, books or comedy videos on hand for when you need an added humor boost. Look online at joke websites or silly videos. Listen to humorous podcasts. Go to a comedy club.

• Practice laughing with others. Find a way to laugh about your own situations. Over time, this may ease your stress. Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing. It does your body good.

  Consider trying laughter yoga. In laughter yoga, people practice laughter as a group. Laughter is forced at first, but it can soon turn into spontaneous laughter.

• Share a laugh. Spend time with friends who make you laugh. And then return the favor by sharing funny stories or jokes with those around you.
• Know what isn't funny. Don't laugh at the expense of others. Some forms of humor may be hurtful. Use your best judgment to tell the difference between a good joke and one that may hurt someone else.