When you are stressed, it may be difficult to look at the brighter side, however you can try to look at the lighter side of the situation and find that humour is comforting. Stress in our environment produces a chemical reaction in our brain that activates production of stress hormones such as cortisol. When you look at the lighter side or crack a joke about a stressful situation and laugh, your brain produces endorphins or happiness hormones and reduces cortisol.
Humour helps to distract us from negative emotions, makes us happier and even betters relationships. Of the several ways of managing stress, humour is my favourite as I love to smile and have a good laugh especially with close friends and family.
Even though you may not feel like doing anything when you feel low, try to persuade yourself to watch a comedy show on TV, or play a light movie that’s a rom com, or read a witty or funny article and you will be surprised at how quickly your mood elevates. Listening to upbeat music or a song with funny lyrics helps too as serotonin and dopamine, hormones that make us feel cheerful, are released in our bloodstream and improve our mood.
There are several health benefits of laughter too. Research has shown that it can increase your immunity, relieve pain, relax your muscles and improve your circulation. In India, you can see several “laughter clubs” in parks across cities where people who come for morning walks assemble together, stretch and engage in forced or “pretend” laughter that soon triggers real laughter. They do it for a few minutes. In the west, this concept has taken the form of “laughter yoga” which is usually a 30-minute class.
Consider spending time with folks who have a good sense of humour as smiles are infectious and humour is an asset in a stressful situation.
