Contributed by: Suzi Craig, Chief Strategy Officer
Simon Wiesenthal, Austrian writer and Holocaust survivor, once said, “Humor is the weapon of unarmed people: it helps people who are oppressed to smile at the situation that pains them.”
Mr. Wiesenthal’s wise insight sheds light into the role that humor plays in our ability to feel a sense of power and control over a situation that is out of our hands. Our own health and wellbeing can also be something that feels like it’s beyond us. If you’ve ever been hit with a panic attack or have been trapped in a place of deep depression (my biggest personal challenge), you know what I’m talking about.
We highlighted humor last year for our #31DaysofWellness, and talked about ways we have explored how comedy plays a part in our wellbeing, and was even our featured art form at our 2016 annual fundraiser, the Art of Wellbeing: Laughing for Good.
Talking about humor as it relates to our mental health might seem like we’re making light of a serious situation. While it’s true that laughing or smiling is not an end-all-be-all cure, the research shows that there are many positive benefits specifically associated with laughter.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the positive benefits range from increasing oxygen flow (always a good thing) and putting the chill on the fight-flight-freeze stress response, to the long-term effect of relieving body pain. Check out more about how laughter is the best medicine from Mayo Clinic in their article: “Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke.”
Our friends at Mental Health America (of which MHC is an affiliate), has lots to say about the benefits of humor too, and shares 10 Tips for Incorporating Humor Into Your Life.
If you’ve ever been to one of MHC’s Telling Tales event where our Write On! participants are sharing their extremely personal stories of their mental health journey, you’ll find yourself crying, nodding, smiling, getting fired up, and yes, laughing. Because stories, just like life, are all the things.
Finding a way to bring more laughter into your life might feel like a struggle some days. On the days when it’s possible, we challenge you to go out of your way to have a good laugh. Call up an old friend and start a “remember that time” story. Watch a comedian on TV. Read a joke book. Write a joke book!
What will you do today to have a good laugh? We dare you to go out of your way to find that hearty belly laugh that feels so good!
Whatever you do and whenever you’re able to do it, remember that you’re taking the time to alleviate the stress you’re experiencing right now, while also investing in your future too. Each laugh you have gets put into the bank for long-term health and wellbeing. And, that’s no joke.
#31DaysofWellness
#ThrowbackThursday
