Laughter is self-care: Why we should laugh at ourselves more often

Do you know that feeling when you take yourself too seriously? When you try to do everything right, to be perfect, to show no weaknesses? Welcome to the club! The exact opposite is often the key to more lightness, calmness and true self-love: being able to laugh at yourself.

Self-irony is strength

Looking at yourself with a wink is not a sign of insecurity, but of maturity. For example, if you suddenly ask yourself on the subway on the way to the office whether you actually turned off your coffee on the stove - and internally say to yourself: "Okay, then I'll just boil water again this evening to taste smoke." It shows that we can live in peace with our mistakes, little mishaps and idiosyncrasies. Anyone who laughs at themselves is saying: I take myself seriously, but not too seriously. And that is incredibly liberating. Laughter is a real miracle cure. It relaxes, releases happiness hormones and brings us back to the moment. Especially when we manage to laugh at ourselves - because it is precisely in these moments that humor becomes an act of self-acceptance. When we can be amused by ourselves - by our little mishaps, sleepy appearances or original word creations - we treat ourselves with a loving lightness. And that can be incredibly healing.

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio / pexels

Human, not perfect

In a world that constantly promotes self-optimization and achievement, allowing yourself to be lovingly imperfect is an act of rebellion. Humor helps with that. A spilled coffee, a promised word, a weird outfit fail? Or that moment when you spend hours looking for your glasses - and they sit on your head the whole time? All of these are perfect opportunities for a liberating laugh at yourself. If you can laugh at yourself, you create a loving space - like an inner living room in which mistakes can sit on the sofa without being judged. At the same time, we practice self-compassion. It's not about making yourself small or making fun of yourself, but rather giving yourself a loving hug and saying: "Hey, that might have been weird, but I'm still okay." Humor is an invitation not to judge yourself, but to accept yourself - including all the nooks and crannies and strange moments.

5 little rituals for more humor in everyday life

1. Breakdown diary: Write yourself a little note every evening: What was your most endearing fail today? Capture it with a wink.

2. Mirror laughter: Start or end your day with a conscious grin in the mirror - preferably with a little compliment to yourself. This moment can help to positively influence your self-perception and prepare you for a friendlier inner attitude.

3. The comedy glasses: In stressful moments: Imagine you are in a sitcom. What would be funny about that? Even better: Set a daily reminder on your cell phone or post-it note on the mirror that reminds you of this change in perspective - until it becomes a loving habit.

4. Time travel through embarrassing photos: Look at old pictures of yourself regularly. Instead of being ashamed: celebrate the weird hairstyle or the wild style from back then!

5. Share your anecdotes: Tell friends about little mistakes – laughing together creates closeness and lightness.

A smile to start with

Laughter brings people together. It makes us human. It helps us to love ourselves and treat others as equals. Especially in challenging times, it is important not to lose your sense of humor. When in everyday family life everyone wants something from you at the same time or you sit at an online meeting with toothpaste on your sweater - an honest laugh can take the pressure off and remind you that perfection is not a prerequisite for love or success. And maybe that starts with looking in the mirror in the morning and smiling lovingly. So: let's laugh more often. Not at the expense of others - but together. And especially: about ourselves.

Photo: Kelsey Chance / unsplash