Stress Management & Humor

Humor is a wonderful stress reducer, an antidote to upsets. Laughter relieves tension. In fact, we often laugh hardest when we have been feeling most tense.

An example would be a person who was lamenting the 10 pounds she gained over the winter and the fact that she could not get into her bathing suit. She had always been sensitive about her weight. While talking about her upset she suddenly stopped, her face softened and a smile came to her lips. "You know what? I've just decided," she said. "I'll swim in the dark this year." Another case could involve a man who worked in a busy company and dealt with customers at the counter, customers on the phone and staff members who needed his help. He felt besieged often from several directions at once. He could tell himself to use a phrase which would help him cope and make him a laugh; "I love it when they fight over me." In both cases, people generated their own humor and reduced their stress.

Humor is an individual thing - what is funny to one individual may be hurtful to another. It is wonderful when people can poke fun at themselves. We can also do this with stressed friends, but we have to be careful and respectful in what we say. If you think of something funny that may help the friend, say it if you feel it will ease their tension and not be offensive. I will often throw in a quip or joke when I think it is appropriate. When it is done sensitively, laughter is a great gift to people you care about.

Reframing Belief Systems Support Humor Idols Massage to Reduce Stress