Mark Greene
There is a popular saying that says laughter is the best medicine, but is this something we can seriously apply during the COVID-19 pandemic? The answer is yes. During a pandemic, people will focus on keeping their physical health in tip-top condition, but taking care of our minds is just as important. As parts of the world begin to slip back into normality and others continue to struggle, whatever your situation may be, taking care of your mental health is essential for the here and now, as well as the future, and it can help you to support your loved ones.
Humor has the ability to give people a sense of power and purpose and connect with people, which can help in this powerless situation. To help you understand more about how humor can help people cope with the pandemic, read on.Â
Benefits of Laughter
COVID-19 is a serious matter that is affecting people’s lives in an extreme way, but in order to get through this, we need to find ways to cope with the limitations and dangers we are having to deal with every day. If we don’t, then our mental health will be put at risk. This is why laughter is so important. When people laugh, it releases feel-good hormones in their brain and reduces harmful hormones, like the stress hormone cortisol. Laughter can also boost our immune system, as it increases the number of antibody-producing cells, which will make our immune response to an illness faster and stronger.Â
Adding Humor to Your Life
From our mind to our immune system, humor can benefit our health in many ways. The next step is finding ways to add humor to your life. Some examples include subscribing to funny YouTube channels and forums, watching your favorite comedians, sharing old stories with friends and family, telling jokes, playing games, creating TikTok videos, reading a funny book, and most importantly, learning how to laugh at yourself and take life less seriously. Fortunately, laughter is a simple and free way to manage stress and anxiety – all you need to do is find something that works for you.Â
Making Others Smile
Keeping your own spirits up during the pandemic is essential, but everyone is facing their own battle. Whether it is your friend, a member of your household, a colleague, your neighbor, or someone you pass in the street, making others smile can benefit your own mental health and help that person feel happy. An example of a great way to make strangers smile without invading their personal space is by wearing a funny face mask when you are out and about, like these masks. With your loved ones, check in on them regularly and try to make them laugh and smile during every conversation.Â
Laughter is the best medicine for our minds. Research shows that humor can reduce anxiety and fear and resolve conflicts. You can do a lot to keep your spirits up and make other people smile during these uncertain times. The little things will be appreciated by your friends, family, and strangers in the supermarket.
