There are physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of humor, which include: reduced pain and stress, increased mood and creativity, increased friendliness, and happier relationships with others. [2] X Research source
You don’t have to be funny to have a sense of humor, or be the one telling all the jokes.
Try watching movies with varied humor, including films with Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Kristen Wiig, Steve Martin, or Chevy Chase. Watch comedy classics, such as Meet the Parents, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Blazing Saddles, Trading Places, Finding Nemo, and Bridesmaids. Be careful to observe other people, but don’t just copy their humor. True humor is genuine and reflects your personality. [6] X Research source
For example, try something like this: What do you call a line of rabbits walking backward? A receding hare line. What did the football coach say to the broken vending machine? Give me my quarterback!
When looking for something to say, comment on the weather. For example, “If it doesn’t stop snowing, I’m going to have to ski to work. "
Check out stand up comedians or watch videos online. Focus on their delivery, the topics, and how they turn the everyday into something humorous. Observe the people in your life that you consider funny, and determine what it is you like about their humor that you can add to your own.
If you are telling jokes, think about context. Is this an appropriate joke for work, a date, or the group of people you are with? Will it offend someone? Know the difference between punching up and punching down. Punching up challenges the status quo by poking at a powerful group. Punching down reinforces the status quo by making fun of a vulnerable or oppressed group. Racist, sexist, and crude humor can be extremely offensive. Joking about a person’s religion, political belief, and other belief systems may also cross into offensive territory. Save the tasteless, offensive jokes for your head or for those “anything goes” friends. Put-down humor or aggressive humor is used to criticize and manipulate through teasing, sarcasm, and ridicule. [9] X Research source This can be funny when directed at public figures, but can be extremely hurtful if used against friends and take a toll on personal relationships. [10] X Research source
Sometimes tense or uncomfortable situations benefit from some comedic relief. A joke can take some of the tension away and make people feel more comfortable. When you know you are about to go off on someone, crack a joke. If you’re fighting with your sibling, you can say, “We’ve been fighting about this same thing for 10 years! Apparently, we’re stuck as teenagers. " If someone makes fun of your old car, you can respond, “I bet you don’t look as good as you did 15 years ago, either!"[13] X Research source
Laugh off things you cannot control, such as age and appearance. If you have a big nose, make fun of yourself instead of getting upset. If you’re getting older, laugh at the over the hill cards. Even if you feel uncomfortable making fun of yourself, shrug that stuff off, especially if you can’t change it. Laugh at your slight embarrassments and faults. It helps to see the humor in your humanness. Think about the embarrassing moments in your life. Find a way to tell that story where it’s humorous instead of mortifying. You will need to poke fun at yourself, and maybe exaggerate or dramatize the events.
Instead of getting mad because your employee is always late to meetings, make it into a joke by saying, “Glad you’re not running an airline. " While the joke your co-worker made might be tasteless or offensive, it might not require getting upset. Having a sense of humor means you let things roll off your back and you choose what to get upset about.
Having a sense of humor helps you realize that it’s okay to look stupid. Even if you look stupid, just laugh at yourself. And then smile because you tried something new outside of your comfort zone. And finally, study the person’s character. Learning their likes might bring a smile in their faces.
