Humor is the ability to notice or enjoy things that are funny or playful. It can involve telling jokes, sharing funny stories, watching comedy, or simply finding amusement in everyday situations. Research shows that using humor in a positive way may help protect mental health.
The Humor Coping Skills handout explains how humor can be used as a healthy coping tool and offers ideas for adding more laughter into daily life. It helps clients get started by encouraging them to create a personal collection of uplifting content.
Using humor coping skills can quickly ease tension, improve immunity, relieve pain, and help manage stress. One helpful tip for kids and teens is to choose one humor coping skill, try it out for a day or two, and pay attention to how it affects their mood and interactions with others.
When it comes to funny games or silly activities, options include charades with exaggerated gestures or creating their own goofy dance moves.
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References:
- Menéndez-Aller, Á., Postigo, Á., Montes-Álvarez, P., González-Primo, F. J., & García-Cueto, E. (2019). Humor as a protective factor against anxiety and depression. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology : IJCHP, 20(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2019.12.002
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, September 22). Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
