Laugh like a Child, Again

by Rhea Vitto Tabora

We have all experienced the joy of childhood, laughing our hearts out even at things that any adult won’t find funny.

Then we all grew up. And somehow, we lost the ability to laugh. What stole the little joys in our hearts? Is it the crazy traffic? Is it the piles of work on our desk? Is it the hectic schedule? Is it the long queue at the cashier? Is it the insufficient budget?

A couple of Sundays ago, the priest in our church mentioned during his homily that children laugh more than 300 times a day according to one study while adults laugh less than 20 times a day. Then he asked, why can’t adults be as happy as the little children?

300 laughter sounded a lot. But to my six-year-old son, that is an easy number to beat! He can laugh even at the sound of a plastic bag being blown away by the wind. He can laugh endlessly watching a video of himself laughing!

When my little boy laughs, I will always stop whatever I am doing and before I knew it, I am already having a good belly laugh myself, because his laughter is more contagious than any communicable disease.



I searched online if the 300 vs 20 numbers were real. Many numbers were thrown around – between 300 and 400 for children (which one site commented is just an urban myth). There was one study which suggested that adults laugh an average of 17.5 times a day. But I don’t think we need to dissect the science of laughter here. Just look around and observe – children really laugh much more than adults. The primary reason (or excuse), of course, is that children play more and, therefore, laugh more than adults who are either studying or working or worrying about life.

Have we actually lost the ability to laugh as adults, or have we buried ourselves deeply into our daily lives that we have forgotten even to smile? Have we become too serious facing life’s challenges? Have we become too sad because of too many negative things around us?

Is losing our playfulness and sense of humor the price of growing up?

Why are we not laughing enough anymore? Have we all forgotten the healing benefits of laughter? Don’t we want to experience the wonderful feeling of laughing again? Are we embracing anger, stress, and fear, more than positive feelings, love, and laughter? Blame it on traffic, piles of work, bills to pay, corrupt government officials, negative headlines, tight deadlines, and slow internet connection.

Face life with more joy and positive thoughts. You deserve a less stressful life, even in the midst of negative events around us.

Think of things that make you laugh. And do things that make you happy.

Bring humor back into your life. Watch funny videos. Spend time with happy people.

Laugh at yourself. Let your spirit free.

So, have you laughed enough today?

Give yourself a break. Everyday. Laugh more. Starting today.