As adults, life is often serious and weighty. Responsibilities, stress, loss, sickness, work, and more tend to cloud the instinctive play and laughter we experienced as kids.

Scientific research, while somewhat limited, indicates laughter can improve our overall health and reduce stress and anxiety.

Researcher and psychology professor, Robert Provine described laughter as “a hidden language that we all speak. It is not a learned group reaction but an instinctive behavior programmed by our genes. Laughter bonds us through humor and play.” (from The Science of Laughter, Psychology Today)

So how do we amplify this innate reaction that’s been suppressed by the weight of our obligations, trauma, stress, etc.? Obviously, we can’t just drop our obligations.

What if we looked for moments of playfulness throughout our day? What if we were intentional about reading, watching, and listening to something that makes us laugh every day? Perhaps starting with a daily comic strip or watching a 3-minute video of a porcupine eating a pumpkin. Or maybe noticing and chiming in when others laugh - especially kids (laughter is contagious).

Laughing doesn’t replace or hide our pain. We can hold both feelings in tension (yes, and) - creating space for sadness and humor, play and work, silliness and obligations.

We know how to laugh - it’s part of who we are, like our very first language. If it feels foreign right now, maybe we need to practice by looking for moments of play and humor.

To look today: Where will you find laughter?