Studies reveal that 2 out of 3 people suffer from low self-esteem. If you are sitting at lunch with 2 of your friends, only one of you has healthy self-esteem. Who is it?

The answer may turn out to be a matter of perception. Our true beliefs and inner feelings of self-worth can be very different from those we reveal openly to others. Many of us are experts at displaying an outward appearance of confidence and self-acceptance, while feeling insecure or inadequate on the inside.

All of us have some aspects of our physical features or personality that don't meet our approval. These unique characteristics often have the potential to be funny, if viewed through humorous eyes. When we identify and accept our uniqueness, we are able to laugh about our shortcomings. Easily said, but not so easily done.

The ability to laugh at ourselves allows us the opportunity to embrace our flaws and promotes self-acceptance. It does not include harmful putdowns, ridicule or negative sarcasm. Nor are we advertising that we are defective, rather we are demonstrating that we are human.

Humour is a positive coping mechanism that not only improves our mood, it also builds our self-esteem. Unfortunately, we often resort to all kinds of unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking, smoking, eating, overworking, etc. to make ourselves feel good. While these habits offer temporary boosts, they further undermine our self-esteem.

Our level of self-esteem is often associated with what we are capable of doing or by our achievements. When we don't meet our own expectations, the negative self-talk we inflict upon ourselves results in lower self-esteem.

Remember, it's not just what you do that defines who you are. More importantly, it's how you handle what you do that defines who you really are.

If you can laugh at yourself, odds are you will experience less tension, less worry and better health. You have the priceless ability to put things in their proper perspective.

I usually laugh at myself since I am normally a happy individual who doesn’t let the small things get me down but as I get older I notice that it becomes harder to remember to let things go and not to worry or stress about things that don’t really matter. I just need to remember to take a deep breath and realise that the world is full of people making mistakes and learning to get back up and keep going no matter what happens.

I learnt a lot about myself and, in the process, learnt a lot about the value of laughter. After experiencing these laughter-inducing moments first hand, I know there are great benefits to them. I felt a sense of relief after laughing. I felt a slight moment of being removed from whatever thoughts were plaguing my mind. Laughter offers us a break from the hard parts of life. Laughter offers us a chance to escape, even for a few moments, from the past and the future. Laughter allows us to really be in the moment.

Don't take yourself too seriously. We all do silly things or embarrassing things and one of the best ways to turn a negative into a positive is to laugh about it. Laughing at others can be hurtful and mean, but laughing at yourself in a light-hearted way can be really entertaining and is a great way to perk yourself up.

If you learn to laugh at yourself, you’ll always have something to laugh about. There is always a reason to laugh. There is probably also a reason not to laugh, but you have to choose which one you want to do. When was the last time you laugh at yourself? Why not do it now? Hahas……………