Why We Laugh

Scott Weems, author of Ha! The Science of When We Laugh and Why, explains that humor stems from our brains being confused about how to respond, which is why we often laugh at inappropriate times. “Whatever causes our brain confusion or conflict is likely to make us laugh,” he says. “And we all laugh at different things because we each have different thresholds for what leads to confusion, and what offends us deeply.”

Being mindful of this confusion helps me when I think my neighbor’s laughter is inappropriate or when I realize I’m the only one laughing. In other words, for me, lightening up includes allowing other people to find things funny when I don’t and not getting offended.