You know, even if you can get a chuckle out of something you hear in the background, it’ll help settle your nerves and give you a better frame of mind. Or you could sit back with your headphones on and look like a complete fool laughing hysterically at something no one else in the room can hear. Laughter is contagious and soothing.

Once I was walking down a busy sidewalk in Boston. Everyone seemed really stressed and hurrying along like they were all late for something important. This one guy was walking along with the crowd wearing headphones, hardly noticeable and keeping pace for fear of being trampled. Suddenly he burst out with a huge, uncontrollable belly laugh over something he heard on his MP3 player.

At first I noticed people looking annoyed and maybe a little self conscious thinking perhaps he was laughing at them. But after a few more seconds of this guy losing it on the street, people started smiling. They couldn’t help it!

By the time the guy finally calmed down, some of the nearby pedestrians were chuckling along with him. And it seemed everyone slowed down just a bit to “drink” it all in.

What was really the funniest part of the whole scenario is, because he had his headphones on, he had no idea how his laughter had become viral. He went on his way and never knew he had brought just a bit if levity to the maddening crowd.

I felt better anyway!

Some of the cult classics that are sure to get you laughing out loud are the Michael Palin Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years, or Dave Barry’s Money Secrets - Like: Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar? Or you could go for some of the more obscure comics like Ronnie Barker - At The Beeb, or David Sedaris. Both real funny guys.

Another avenue to take is the topical approach like getting “Funny Anecdotes Volume 2” and “Have You Heard The One About? Volume 1“.

It’s all in what you think is funny.

In any event, finding the right comedy audio books to download will brighten your day, and who knows . . .

Maybe everyone’s around you too!