It’s not difficult, given the absurdities that pepper the average day.
It just requires a bit of practice in shifting your perspective.
In general, recent research suggests that laughter can enhance overall quality of life.
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Start With a Smile
Even justfaking a smilecan increase happinessand not just theappearanceof it.
This is calledreframingand it works.
(“I was cut off in traffic seven times todayIm almost up to 10.")
This works well for predictable or repetitive annoying situations that you cant control.
Imagining this absurdity can help you find the humor in your circumstances.
Look for content that skillfully susses out the humor in annoying, upsetting, or otherwise unpleasant events.
A Word From Verywell
Humor is often helpful in managing stress, but not always.
If you experiencechronic stressor frequentacute stress, your overall health depends on finding coping strategies that work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding the absurdity is the key.
Cann A, Collette C.Sense of humor, stable affect, and psychological well-being.Europes Journal of Psychology.
2021;9:667821. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.667821
Laughter therapy: A humor-induced hormonal intervention to reduce stress and anxiety.Current Research in Physiology.
2012;23(11):1372-1378. doi:10.1177/0956797612445312
Baqutayan S.Stress and Social Support.Indian J Psychol Med.
2018;20(3):304-312. doi:10.1111/nhs.12562
