Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Why So Serious?

I am not ticklish. In fact, I love having my feet tickled, I enjoy the sensation of it, but it doesn't make me laugh. I think I would love it if there were a sure fire way to make me laugh. My husband is crazy ticklish and he absolutely hates to be tickled. Which I just don't understand. Isn't laughter one of the most amazing things there is? It makes you feel so good all over.

I love tickling Sophie and she loves being tickled. She'll lay down and I'll give her a good once over, goosing her thighs, ribcage and under her arms, and when she stops laughing, she'll look up at me eyes wide and full of anticipation, waiting for me to tickle her some more.

I am happy to oblige because there is not a thing in this world that makes me happier than her laughter. Maybe Dr. Pepper. But it's a close call.

They say the average child laughs 300 times a day while the average adult a paltry 17. At what point do we lose the love for uncontrolled elation? Laughter produces hormones that help reduce stress and are beneficial in improving the immune system. Not to mention what a good hard laugh does for the muscles. Children laugh with abandon while adults must search out the funny. I've even heard of humor clinics where people force laughter for therapeutic effect.

Why is it so hard when we're older?

Maybe we just need more tickling.

PS - I've been nominated for a (M)aryland (O)utstanding (B)log Award or Mobbie! You can vote once a day for one blog in each category (I'm nominated as a Family Blog) as well as for Best Overall Blog so please vote as often as you can. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Posted by CaraBee at 1:35 PM
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15 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 6, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    I have such a hard time finding Love Muffin's ticklish spots - and when I do - she always makes me stop. I don't seem to be able to make her understand that I would LOVE being married to a woman that loved to be tickled.

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  2. sheilaOctober 6, 2009 at 2:22 PM

    If anyone touches my feet, chances are I'll break their nose. I am SO ticklish.

    And I've never lost my love for uncontrolled elation (isn't that what you called it?) Never. I betcha I laugh 1000 times a day. In fact, sometimes I laugh so hard and so often that my laugh bones hurt. (I think they are laugh bones.)

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  3. CynthiaOctober 6, 2009 at 2:59 PM

    OMG...The Little Man LOVES being tickled. "Tickle me Mama!" Me...not so much;)

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  4. kelOctober 6, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    I'm not ticklish at all either!!!!

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  5. JenOctober 6, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    That is a very good question. Why is it so difficult for adults to laugh. I think it has to do with the fact that we take ourselves WAY to seriously sometimes. Come on, just laugh at yourself. Its good for you.

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  6. HollyOctober 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM

    OK, now I'm depressed. My child doesn't laugh 300 times a day, nor do I laugh anywhere near 17. I thought we were happy....

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  7. mepOctober 6, 2009 at 11:24 PM

    I hate to be tickled. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.

    But, I LOVE to laugh. I feel like it's rare these days for me to really and truly laugh.

    I don't need tickles. I just need more time with friends.

    Great post.

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  8. tiarastantrumsOctober 7, 2009 at 12:19 AM

    because we are jaded

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  9. Zip n TizzyOctober 7, 2009 at 12:45 AM

    We used to have a tickle club in first grade where we would lie down in the hall and all the other kids would surround us and tickle us until we just couldn't take it any longer. The one rule was that everyone would stop when we said stop. I remember we would all try and make it last as long as possible and I remember laughing so hard that I could hardly breath.
    Ahh... sweet childhood.

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  10. Tim AtkinsonOctober 7, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Funny, that! As a ticklish adult I absolutely hate it, but my daughter loves being tickled, and asks for 'more, more'.

    Congrats on your nomination!

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  11. MomisodesOctober 7, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    My hubby and daughter are the same way. It's hard to find a spot on him where he isn't ticklish! But he hates it, and jumps 12 feet in the air if you try. But my daughter loves it, and asks for more if you try.

    Perhaps us adults do need more tickling. Or maybe some Dr Pepper.

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  12. bernthisOctober 8, 2009 at 1:27 AM

    congrats my dear. I love to laugh and I wish so much I did it more.

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  13. WadeOctober 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    I'm very ticklish, and many people in my life, including my wife, know it. Many people, including my wife, enjoy it. (Many people in my life, especially my wife, are evil and sadistic.) So I laugh. A lot. Whether I want to or not.

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  14. ShannonOctober 8, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    I'm crazy ticklish. My girls are, too... and I love tickling them and hearing their giggles!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 10, 2010 at 9:53 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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Give me some sugar, baby!

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