Bringing Laughter to Your Marriage

Today, I’ve got a simple idea to help you build a great marriage. It’s fun, too.

Laugh together.

Proverbs says, “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Jean and I have great memories of laughing together in the car or around the dinner table. A few times we’ve laughed so hard for so long that we started laughing at each other laughing.

Laughter is often more about connection than it is humor. Studies show that couples who laugh are healthier, happier and more connected. Even little giggles create bonds that last a lifetime.

That’s why Pastor Ted Cunningham encourages couples to strive for a laughter-to-conflict ratio of 100 to 1. That may sound like a lot, but it’s not as hard as you might think. You don’t have to be a comedian to achieve that ratio, but you do have to be intentional.

How do you do that?

Ted is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Bringing Laughter to Your Marriage” to help you and your spouse find the humor in everyday life. He offers insight into the “language” of comedy and explores the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits of laughter.

Couples who laugh together last together.

Ted is the founding pastor of Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, Missouri. Hear my full conversation with him on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

Before I close, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Ted’s book A Love That Laughs: Lighten Up, Cut Loose, and Enjoy Life Together, published by Focus on the Family, as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. You’ll also receive member-exclusive benefits. To make your pledge, or for more information, click here or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459)

While you’re online, why not take a few moments to try our free Marriage Assessment online tool? It will help you quickly determine what’s working well in your relationship and identify areas where you may need some improvement.