Finding Humor To Reduce Stress

Hey, mom, look at the rock concert!" my 23-year old son pointed out as we were hiking up Cowles Mountain yesterday.

I smiled and appreciated his humor and jest.

Humor is a character strength, one that is especially important when we are facing every day stress.

I am not speaking of poor humor, the kind that jabs at people in a teasing way. I am talking about clean, fun, dad jokes and silliness and belly laughter and joy.

I haven't always appreciated the dad jokes, I will not lie. But I now see the value in pure, plain silliness.

Laughing lightens the heart. It helps our brain relax and reset, so we can gain a different perspective while calming our body and, perhaps, getting closer to a faster resolution.

And, yes, you can share with your wife, who most likely rolls her eyes at your jokes, that your humor is essentially trying to reset a tense conversation to help resolve the issue more quickly.

Finding the funny in something is so much more enjoyable than finding the fault.

Wouldn't you agree?

It also means creating acceptance in the situation with a lighter tone instead of a judgmental focus.

While we move forward this week, let us find a new perspective, one that might bring hilarity, a smirk, a chuckle, a snort (the laughing kind...), or a lightness to the situation.

Funny things are all around and being mindful, looking for those moments, will ease the stress of the situation and support your mind and body to regulate, which will more likely create the moment you truly seek.

And yes, it is okay to laugh with your team, your employees, your clients. Laughter is medicine, just like exercise. We use way more muscles smiling than frowning.

After all, laughter is part of that life fulfillment we all seek.

So, get to it and enjoy some funnies, jokes, silliness, and cute snorts. LOL