I love a good corny joke. Bring on the Laffy Taffy. Uncle Albert is on the ceiling again!
Here’s one that is pandemic specific:
I used to spin the toilet paper like I was on “Wheel of Fortune”. Now I turn it like I’m cracking a safe.”
It’s funny right…just a little.
As a society, we haven’t always valued humor. It is only recently that humor has been researched at all. Prior to the last few decades, humor was actually seen as a character flaw not worthy of research. We’ve changed our view on it though and found that humor exists in every culture, for all ages, and can actually be good for you.
Not only that, but there are cognitive steps involved in how we process humor. That might not be as exciting as it sounds, and trust me, social scientists can tend to lope off into the weeds just as well as others. The steps though fit patterns in our society. For example, as people age, cognitive function might decline enough that the individual can’t easily grasp a joke. However, because of their age, wisdom plays a role too. If they can grasp the joke, it leads to a higher degree of satisfaction. That’s right! Their wisdom kicks in and allows them to get more joy from the joke.
So laugh! Enjoy a one-liner:
I don’t trust stairs. They’re always up to something.
because it is good for you. There are lots of benefits. Stress relief is a huge benefit right now. And no, laughter might not save the world, but it might save your day!
The Benefits of Laughter and Humor
| Physical health benefits |
| Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease |
| Mental health benefits |
| Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and tension Relieves stress Improves mood Strengthens resilience |
| Social benefits |
| Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding |
You can watch this video of a dad trying to make his kids laugh. It is actually a competition between the kids to see who doesn’t laugh, which makes it even funnier.
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