Humor: The Universal Language
This week’s topic is all about one of the greatest stress relievers: the power of happiness and laughter. Although the emotional roller coaster of caregiving may make us feel awkward or uncomfortable to experience happiness and laughter during stressful times, it’s important to remember that humor is one of our most natural responses to difficult situations, and it has proven benefits for our emotional health.
I think Brené Brown summed it up well in this interview:
“The only universal language I know of that wraps up joy and gratitude and love is laughter. And so I believe in the healing power of laughter. I believe laughter forces us to breathe. I think laughter between people is a holy form of connection, of communion. It’s the way you and I look at each other and without words, say, I get exactly what you're saying. … The laughter that happens when people are truth-telling and showing up and being real -- I call that ‘knowing laughter.’ That’s what happens between people when we recognize the absurdity of the belief that we're alone in anything. … There's some kind of tremendous relief in that and I think it can only be expressed in belly laughter. This tremendous relief that happens the millisecond we realize, it's not just me. That's what good laughter is about. It's about knowing that you're not alone.”
When you think about it, laughter is one of the strongest forms of sharing. I’ve seen it happen in my life. Even in our saddest moments, when I’m with those who are closest to me, and we’ve cried all the tears we can cry, we’re able to share some humor and laughter. And we realize we’re not alone.
So, try our five tips to make sure you’re getting enough laughter in your life:
Find funny friends.
Play fun games, such as charades, or do some karaoke.
Enjoy some comedy – watch a YouTube video, view a comedy show or movie, read a funny book or comic strip.
Seek humor in your daily life. You might be surprised to find the humor that exists in everyday things all around you.
Be silly, and learn to laugh at YOURSELF.
For this topic, let’s leave the final words to Groucho Marx:
“A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.”
And:
“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”
As an additional note, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here are some resources we’re sharing this week:
· Finding Help: When to Get It and Where to Go
· Check out our Information Resource Sheets on our website
· Protective and Risk Factors for Toxic Stress