How to Maintain a Sense of Humor As You Age
They say that we laugh less with age . Sometimes it is our changing values that change how funny we find it, or the break with the current generation as we age. Psychology Today suggests that our changes in humor may even indicate conservatism – that we become more conservative as we age. But one thing is for sure: for better or for worse, our sense of humor tends to change.
But, of course, you probably know some cheerful seniors; there are great comedians who have transcended generations to make us laugh today, and more who will remain here for decades to come. So how do we keep our youthful mind as we get older? We can learn some valuable secrets of keeping humor from longtime comedians Carol Burnett, Mel Brooks and Betty White, who recently turned 99.
Be honest with yourself
Over the years, great people have allowed their basic personalities to remain the same. Inan interview with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, Mel Brooks shared how he portrayed Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster at school, which was greeted with loud laughter as he devoted himself entirely to physical performance. He says that this was when he first found out he was funny and then began his career making fun of iconic figures in history.
According to Carol Burnett, if something is really funny, it will stand the test of time. “Funny is funny ,” she said, also explaining how relevant and poignant humor leads to light laughter, but she never seemed cool to her. Staying true to himself and his comedy style has secured Burnett a long career in entertainment, pioneering women in comedy. And her humor is still funny, as her new Netflix show Carol Burnett’s A Little Help can show you.
Have funny friends
Funny people tend to come together, such as longtime friends Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, or Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, or comedian Carl Rainer (known for The Dick Van Dyke Show ) and writer, director and comedy star Mel Brooks. AsRainer said: “If you have one good friend, you are lucky … My life is fuller, because there was Mel in my life.” Reiner lived to be 98 years old, and in addition to funny friends who supported his sense of humor, he also lived in good company.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
“Those who have a sense of humor live more comfortably than those who don’t,” Rainer said, and as Betty White approaches her 99th birthday, we can remember her longtime friendship with co-star Golden Girls. Bo Arthur, Ryu McClanahan. , and Estelle Getty. White continues to live a ludicrous life, such as sticking to a popular 2016 Super Bowl ad and saying that she “taught Cam Newton everything he knows.”
As White told the Daily Mail , “Don’t take yourself too seriously. You can lie to others – I would not lie, but you cannot lie to yourself. ” She attributes her longevity to her sense of humor, and the comedian has the longest acting career in history, on screen for over eight decades. So stay positive, be true to yourself, and keep hanging out with your hilarious friends – after all, you can live longer and retain that witty sense of humor.