When we first started dating our spouse, our time together was filled with discovering each other, affection and laughter. The fact that we could laugh together was one of the most attractive things about our spouse.
As we make our relationship permanent with marriage and begin making a home, the things of life grab out attention. Household management, bills, chores, transportation, children, in-laws, and other important matters crowd laughter out of our relationship.
There are many personal benefits to laughter. Here are five reasons you need more laughter in your life and marriage.
- Laughter decreases negative emotions. When we laugh, we cannot feel anxious, angry or sad. Jay Leno once said, “You can’t stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh.”
- Laughter relaxes your whole body. When we laugh, our muscles are relaxed for up to 45 minutes afterward.
- Laughter helps us live longer. When we laugh, our blood vessels functioning increases improving blood flow, which helps protect against heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
- Laughter makes you feel better. When we laugh, endorphins are released which decreases pain and increases an overall sense of well-being. Bob Hope once said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.”
- Laughter keeps you from being sick. When we laugh, our body creates more immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies.
“Laughter, on a daily basis, is like taking a vitamin for your marriage. A healthy habit all loving couples enjoy!” Les and Leslie Parrott
Check Up: Laughter In Your Relationship
How is humor and laughter in your relationship? Answer the following questions as an indicator if your marriage needs more laughter.
- My spouse and I laugh together more than most other couples do.
- I know how to make my spouse laugh and it almost always works.
- My spouse and I have a couple of inside jokes that no one else really understands.
- I sometimes make fun of myself in order to make my spouse laugh.
- My souse and I occasionally use humor to defuse tense moments between us.
- I’m good at knowing the moments I should avoid using humor.
- My spouse and I replay funny moments in our history together.
- I remember enjoying a moment in the last week when we both laughed.
- My spouse and I are careful about how we poke fun at each other.
- I know when my spouse is trying to be funny.
Put Laughter Back Into Your Marriage
Need more laughter in your relationship? Plan a date night and take along these conversation starters. Have each spouse take turns completing the sentence first.
- What I love most about your humor is…
- What I think makes you laugh is…
- The last time I remember laughing with you…
- A time when your humor backfired and hurt me …
- One of the ways I’d like to incorporate more humor in our relationship ….
- Something fun and funny we can do together soon…
- What I love most about your laugh…
We love to hear from readers. What role has laughter played in your relationship? What tips do you have for couples to bring healthy laughter back into the relationship?
This article was written by Roy and Devra Wooten, authors of “The Secret to a Lifetime Love”. Learn more at www.LifeTogetherForever.com © Roy and Devra Wooten 2015. All Rights Reserved. You may replicate this article as long as it is provided free to recipients and includes appropriate attribution. Written permission for other use may be obtained at [email protected].