The Power of Humour on Mental Health

My teenage son’s school quite rightly priorities the mental health of students and staff. They are enlightened and genuinely care. But even then my son will roll his eyes at the solemn dullness of it all. This solemnity when discussing mental health is seen across most  organisations, not just in the discussions but also in the treatment.  And it’s bad for us. Of course we must take the subject seriously but not if that gravitas is at risk of turning off the very people it’s aimed at helping. 

Let’s be clear,  poor mental health is awful (I had depression in my mid-20s and the pain of it has far outweighed any subsequent difficulties in my life) but one of the most effective antidotes is laughter.  

Anyone who works for the emergency services or the army will tell you that the one of the tools to help them deal with extreme stress is laughter. In every day life the benefits of humour are pretty conclusive. You can see this for yourself by doing any of these things. Watch a one minute video that makes you laugh, recall the last time you were with family or friends where you all really laughed, and best of all, go and spend some quality time with people who make you laugh and smile.  Doing any of these activities will just make you feel better.

Here’s three wonderful ways humour can enhance mental health, backed by some cool data. 

1. Stress Reduction

One of the quickest wins from humour is stress reduction. When we laugh, our bodies go through a series of happy changes. Laughing increases the intake of air, and kick starts the heart, lungs, and muscles, releasing endorphins – those lovely feel-good chemicals in the brain. A study in “Psychological Science” found that watching a funny video could reduce cortisol levels by 39%.

2. Improved Mood and Increased Happiness

Research in the journal “Emotion” found that fun activities significantly lift our mood and just make us happier. In the study, people who were more inclined to use humour reported higher levels of positive emotions and also felt more satisfied with their lives.

Sharing a laugh helps you feel less lonely and more connected, which of course naturally boosts happiness.

3. Enhanced Resilience and Coping Skills

More data! A study in “Psychiatry Research” showed that using humour to cope with stress leads to better mental health outcomes. It builds resilience, allowing people to handle tough situations more effectively.

One of the reasons for this is that humour gives us a bit of distance from immediate stress, offering a different perspective.   This can in turn spark creative solutions and help us bounce back faster. 

So next time we talk about the importance of mental health try and add a little bit of humour,  and in turn encourage a bit of fun and laughter around the workplace.

By cutting down stress, lifting our mood, and building resilience, humour and fun are vital for our mental well-being. And next time you feel a little overwhelmed, look to find something to laugh about – chances are it will be exactly what you need to move on.