Welcome to the Spring 2021 semester! I hope you have had a restful and relaxing break and are having a successful first couple of weeks. With the Covid-19 pandemic still impacting us in many adverse ways, I’d like to take today to discuss the importance of humor and taking some time to make yourself laugh and smile everyday. 

Laughter – it’s something many of us probably overlook but is also something that we need. Studies have shown that having a sense of humor and laughing reduces stress and helps people work their way through tough times – given that we are in the midst of a pandemic, this benefit is even more relevant today. There are also some surprising benefits for your body as well – when you laugh, you improve your circulatory and respiratory functions, and even strengthen your abdominal muscles a bit. In addition, having a sense of humor is highly sought after and can help bring life into otherwise dull situations, when used appropriately. It can even help boost your creativity – when you’re in a good mood, you’ll be more productive and likely be more open-minded and willing to think outside the box!

Figure 1-1. Laughter. Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.

Chances are, you probably already laugh multiple times per day, but it can be good to deliberately set aside some time to laugh for a while. Not only will you reap the discussed benefits, but recognizing when you need a break to engage in something you find funny can also function as a form of mindfulness, since you are practicing being aware of what you need to be more productive. There are many ways you can bring about laughter – I often like to watch funny videos on YouTube or just tell someone a bad joke (believe me, I make the worst puns, but they work)! It can’t hurt to watch an episode of a comedy between classes either, or even when you’re winding down for the evening – going to bed stressed is no picnic! Even reflecting back on an old joke/memory that you find amusing can be helpful in inducing laughter – just make sure that it’s genuine, and that you aren’t forcing it. It’s also worth noting that fake laughter won’t work as well as real laughter, obviously, but it’s worth noting that in a pinch, it may serve as a stepping stone towards real humor.

Obviously, telling jokes to others, an integral part of inducing your sense of humor, is more difficult in the midst of the pandemic. However, even if it’s over Zoom, laughter is contagious – if someone starts laughing, there’s a high chance you will as well. Humans tend to respond to laughter by doing so as well, especially since it means positivity. Therefore, if you’re interacting with someone else, you can help spread a good mood by engaging in something humorous, which is definitely a win-win situation. So, keep in touch with your friends – you never know when you or someone else may need a good joke to turn around their day.

Figure 1-2. Laughter and Friends. Lokmat English Desk.

Lastly, even if you feel like you don’t have much of a sense of humor, that is okay! Not everyone has a pronounced sense of humor, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have one. It may just take awhile before you find a type of comedy that makes you laugh, but once you find it, you’ll see yourself happier and feeling more positive in no time!