Overall, humor can benefit us physically and emotionally, according to Peter McGraw, Ph.D., an associate professor at University of Colorado Boulder who studies emotions. "When done well, humor can have a significant positive effect on your life.By developing a better understanding of humor we believe we can then suggest ways that people can live better lives -- from helping them cope with pain and stress to encouraging people to use humor to criticize brands that have done them wrong."

You have good physical well-being. 

While most people fret with each passing birthday, good-humored individuals take it all in stride. Those "over the hill" cards? The jokes about looking older? Child's play -- and that light-hearted attitude may help you live longer. Research suggests that a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20848871">sense of humor increases longevity into retirement </a>. Bring it on, birthdays.

Aging is just a fact of life to you

As the old saying goes, "life's better when you're laughing" -- and no one knows that more than good-humored individuals. Those who have a good sense of humor not only see the value in making others laugh, but they prioritize laughter themselves. And as a result, they're healthier and happier for it. Studies show that smiling <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mood-booster_b_4268889">instantly boosts your mood </a>and laughing can <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456">soothe tension and melt stress </a>.

You make laughing a priority

Not all of us can be a person who is so open to their faults that they publicly make fun of their pitfalls, but people with a light-hearted attitude do practice more self-acceptance than most. Good-humored individuals embrace their flaws and laugh them off (and let them go) in a healthy way. And it's something others should work toward: Self-acceptance is a <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140307111016.htm">key to a happier life, but it's not always practiced all that often </a>.

You practice self-acceptance

There's a line between well-intentioned humor and mean-spirited jokes, and those with good humor know the difference. "Most comedy is based on getting a laugh at somebody else's expense. And I find that that's just a form of bullying in a major way," <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ellen-degeneres-my-jobs-to-make-you-happy/">comedian Ellen DeGeneres told CBS News in 2012 </a>. "So I want to be an example that you can be funny and be kind, and make people laugh without hurting somebody else's feelings."

You‘re conscientious

It takes a lot of mental energy to come up with quick-witted quips that keep grins on others' faces. Those who have a good sense of humor <a href="http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/humor/benefits-humor">tend to be more creative </a>. And that's not the only cognitive benefit: One 2014 study found that laughter can also lead to a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/laughing-makes-brain-work-study-finds/story?id=23393053">sharper short-term memory </a>.

You're creative

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