“Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It's like medicine - very healing.”   -Max Irons

Of all the faculties of mind and imagination, sense of humor is considered to be the best quality the Creator has gifted the mankind with. Humor is a part of language development and learning. Everyone has sense of humor but it differs from person to person. ‘Having a sense of humor’ means being ready to be amused and to be amusing. Humor adds taste in one’s life. The sense of humor also tells about the intelligence level of an individual. Humor is not an easy thing it requires mental work, thinking and good observation. A decent sense of humor can attract a person and have a positive impact about that particular person.

Both the human mind and body have been designed by Allah Almighty to bear up certain proportions of anxiety, cross feelings and mental tension. When these states of mind cross their limits, your mental health starts declining and gradually give rise to more tension and anxiety. The sense of humor helps a person to keep his temper under control during hard times and he succeeds in ridding of the mental tension. This sense swings his angry moods to pleasant state of mind which helps him forget the problematic issues encircling him, at least for the time being. It also prevents a person from being irritated by petty persecutions as it also enables him to bear not only trivial annoyance but even serious troubles with cheerfulness. Sense of humor is very helpful as it is a true discernment and a sympathetic mind. One who possesses good sense of humor takes out lighter aspects of life and makes others laugh due to which people starts liking his company. You always want to be a part of such company which is joyful, fun sharing. Today even the medical experts believe that laughing is good for health as it boosts the blood circulation.

In day to day affairs of life, one happens to meet different people having different temperaments and dispositions. And the sense of humor helps an individual to develop better relationship with those he comes across with.

In the present era of materialism and financial constraints, it is normally difficult for a person belonging to middle class or lower class to enjoy successful relationship with other person. A good sense of humor does not earn the possessor anything in financial terms; he at least alleviates the gravity of the situation through his sense of humor. The capacity for keeping cool headed and not taking offences are especially needed on such occasions and the capacity is enjoyed by no other than a possessor of a good sense of humor. Humor also makes a problem or a difficult situation less stressful. For example, if during some significant negotiations parties cannot come to agreement; a funny statement can ease the atmosphere and lead to the optimal solution. On certain serious occasions, one needs to adopt a serious posture. Humor which makes one laugh or at least smile, has all the potential of making the possessor come across an odd situation if he uses this sense of mind at a condolence meeting or while expressing sorrow and grief over some loss of some of his acquaintances.

Humorous people are more popular because of their jokes and pleasing personality. If you smile, you are pleasant person to communicate with. But if you make people around you laugh, you become popular. A person with a sense of humor has the capability of striving in any social surrounding better than one without it. For example, a person can catch people’s attention and tell them a joke, and hopefully make them shout in laughter. However, in case of a person who doesn’t, he or she would look for other approaches of interacting with others. It is so because it discloses the creativity and intelligence in an individual. As a matter of fact, such instances should predict an individual humor generation capability.

When humor is successful, we build trust and cooperation. We discover that we are not alone, we learn to accept our mistakes, and we look for the good in others and in ourselves. Most important, we create common ground. However, when we lose our sense of humor, we often get critical or defensive, and we start blaming others or ourselves for what was said, and how it was said.
The challenge for everyone is to become more aware of how to add humor, and when to avoid it. Too much humor, like too much spice often annoys others. Humor that is perceived as insensitive often leads others to shut down, or become argumentative. But when we each maintain our sense of humor, we look for the good in others and in our selves. To ensure that our humor is welcomed by others, we need to combine our humor with speaking clearly and listening effectively.

When we are happy, we are light-hearted. We are open to others and ready to laugh and play. We laugh when we see things presented in unexpected ways. TV sitcoms and comics give us daily reminders of how to twist what we expect to see or hear to make it funny. Also humorous comments help us see a situation realistically.

Here are some interesting facts about laughing

·         lowers blood pressure

·         reduces stress hormones, such as epinephrine and cortical which constrict blood vessels

·         improves cardiovascular health by increasing the body's ability to use oxygen

·         reduces anxiety, relaxes muscles

·         strengthens the immune system

·         releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers

People who can laugh at themselves or at their situation are usually more resilient when problems arise. Because they are able to see the lighter side of a difficulty, they are better able to put it in perspective. Laughter can release negative tensions both physically and psychologically. It is a wonderful natural sedative.

Humor also helps to strengthen your relationships. First, friendly appearance with a bright smile on your face and a good sense of humor allow you to make good first impression with other people. Also, humor communication boosts the emotional connection that will bring people closer together and increases happiness. In addition, humor is an effective cure for disagreements, angers and hurts. During the difficult time in your relationship, sharing a hearted laughter will be enough to bridge the gap and fill the crack. Humor is a great leveler. It is almost impossible to remain angry with someone who is making you laugh, even if it’s your child and they’ve done something really naughty.Once you allow yourself to see the funny side, you will soon be laughing with them. Finding the same things funny also seems to be one of the strongest bases for lasting friendships.

We can conclude that sense of humor is truly important in human life. Laughter brings many benefits including good physical health, positive emotions and relationships with other people. One essential point is that you should always remember to keep your smile, your humor and your optimism even during the hardest time of your life.

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."    -E.E. Cummings