Using Laughter and Humor for Improving Wellbeing

MEDICAL MINUTES
July 9, 2023 at 6:01 p.m.
Laughing is good for your health
Laughing is good for your health


 

Telling a few jokes may be better for your health and others, and even much more so than ever realized. It turns out that laughter and humor are potent tools that can significantly impact our wellbeing, according to new research conducted by the University of Warwick in England.


The researchers studied laughter and humor in both the workplace and in health-related circumstances and found that these two elements possess remarkable properties that can alleviate worry, diminish feelings of isolation, and instill a sense of control over one's mental and emotional state.  Humor and laughter can act as a natural pressure valve. “Laughter is an important channel to express feelings, show appreciation and create a positive atmosphere. Similarly, by embracing humor, individuals can find solace and resilience in the face of adversity.” said Stephanie Schnurr, who is a professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Warwick.


Laughter and humor play a crucial role in enabling individuals to cope with novel and potentially overwhelming situations, and to create healthy and happy relationships. Humor provides an avenue to express the unsayable, allowing individuals to discuss topics around social, economic and environmental issues that are typically considered taboo, such as financial issues, mental wellbeing and death.


Schnurr said laughter and humor can be incredibly effective tools for providing a mental break from life's challenges. They allow individuals to adopt a more light-hearted viewpoint towards their circumstances. By finding humor, and even laughing in difficult situations, we can remind ourselves and those around us that the situation may not be as bad as we think.


She said laughing at disagreements and troubles among colleagues at work helps them to overcome these issues and lays the foundation for a more productive and collaborative working environment. Schnurr said laughter has the remarkable ability to empower us and give us a sense of control, transforming us from feeling like helpless victims to individuals in charge of our situations.


Laughing at and making fun of one’s outsider status in a work team is another example of this powerful function of humor. By embracing the power of humor and laughter, a person is able to navigate challenges with confidence. Moreover, laughter serves as a valuable outlet for emotional expression, promoting overall menta, and emotional wellbeing, according to the researchers.


They contend that humor, especially when used with irony and sarcasm, plays a crucial role as a release valve, enabling individuals to effectively relieve stress and tension. By embracing the power of laughter, it is possible to lighten the weight of everyday challenges. Engaging in humorous exchanges allows a person  to temporarily detach from the seriousness of life and work, offering a momentary respite and a fresh perspective.


It is also a chance to change your outlook on issues that impact overall well-being. In the medical context, humor is often used to put patients at ease, and used to tackle difficult or sensitive conversations, for example on their unhealthy lifestyle, and their lack of engagement with the prevention and treatment plan.


“Humor creates a new version of reality that is easier to live in, less scary, and less likely to cause fear. Used by women in male dominated professions to make fun of their outsider status, humor enables them to criticize and challenge the status quo without putting others off or offending them. Humor can also help people criticize their boss and communicate alternative views without running the risk of being shot down for disagreeing with the boss," said Schnurr.


Laughing and having a sense of humor can help bring people together and build positive relationships. It can create a type of endearment. In the workplace, this is particularly useful in job interviews where creating a good relationship with the interviewers and signaling belonging are important for success. Although making fun of and laughing at someone could be hurtful, laughing with (rather than at) can show that you understand and like your colleague, and it can make both of you feel better and happier.


John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.
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