A funny moment can be a welcome break, but you do not need to laugh a certain number of times each day to be doing life well. Humour is personal, and being quiet or serious does not mean that you are failing at happiness.
These five ideas offer low-pressure ways to make room for something amusing. Choose one you would enjoy, adapt it or leave it aside; laughter is an invitation, not a requirement.
1. Start with humour you already enjoy
Think about what actually amuses you rather than what you are supposed to find funny. It might be a familiar film, a comic strip, a playful conversation, a favourite book or a harmless everyday absurdity. A short moment can be enough; you do not have to organise an entire comedy night.
Keep the choice accessible and affordable. Borrow a book, revisit something you already own or ask someone for a recommendation that fits your tastes. If loud sound, bright screens or fast-moving scenes are uncomfortable, choose another format. You can enjoy humour without using a device.
2. Make the break easy to choose
Put an enjoyable option where you can find it when you want a pause. You might keep a book nearby, save a cartoon privately or set aside a few minutes for a favourite programme. Avoid turning the idea into a daily quota or a streak you must maintain.
Mayo Clinic’s overview of laughter and stress describes potential benefits while making clear that humour is not a cure for everything. You can value an amusing break for its own sake without expecting a particular physical effect or using it to measure your wellbeing.
3. Share amusement with people who welcome it
Ask whether someone is in the mood for a funny story, a light game or something playful. A shared laugh works best when everyone can choose to join in. Someone may prefer a quiet conversation or may not find the same thing amusing, and that is fine.
Choose humour that does not depend on humiliating someone, exposing private information or pushing past a request to stop. A joke about another person’s body, identity, disability or painful experience can cause harm even if the intention was to lighten the mood. If it lands badly, listen and change course rather than demanding a laugh.
4. Leave room for the mood you actually have
You can notice something funny while also feeling grief, worry, frustration or fatigue. You can also find nothing funny that day. You do not need to fake a reaction, perform cheerfulness or persuade yourself that a difficult situation is acceptable.
If a humorous activity feels irritating, uncomfortable or forced, stop or choose another kind of break. Rest, a familiar activity, practical help or a conversation may feel more welcome. Ask someone who is struggling what they need before trying to cheer them up, especially when they want to be heard.
5. Notice what you would choose again
Afterwards, consider whether the moment felt pleasant and whether you would like to repeat it. You might prefer a shorter activity, a different person to share it with or an occasional unscheduled break. The useful question is what you enjoy, not how many times you laughed.
Humour does not have to carry the whole task of coping with stress or low mood. If distress is persistent or affecting daily life, consider speaking with a health professional or another appropriate source of support. A lack of laughter is not a character flaw, and seeking help does not depend on first trying to be more positive.