How does humor improve mental and emotional health?
Humor is a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress, dissolve anger, and unite families in troubled times. Mood is elevated by striving to find humor in difficult and frustrating situations. Laughing at yourself and the situation helps reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be. Looking at a problem from a different perspective can make it seem less formidable and provide opportunities for greater objectivity and insight. Humor also helps you avoid loneliness by connecting with others who are attracted to genuine cheerfulness. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh can remain with you as an internal experience even after the laughter subsides. The Doctor says “You’ll live to be 60!” “I am 60!” “See, what did I tell you?” -Henny Youngman Mental health professionals point out that humor can also teach perspective by helping patients to see reality rather than the distortion that supports their distress. Humor shifts the ways in
