Laughter is the universal language.It’s no secret that humor and laughing are some of life’s greatest joys, and a good laugh has proven to be a powerful tool in and of itself. Research has consistently shown that laughing has a multitude of benefits, which are thought to be due to how laughteralters the activity of neurotransmitters that promote positive mood like serotonin and dopamine.Beyond simply laughing, I’ve recently discovered the transformative power of laughing at something I never thought I would: myself.Maintaining a sense of self-deprecating sense of humor while I faced whatever it was life threw at me allowed me to reframe challenges, get out of my head, and maintain my mental health during some of the most trying times in my career. When we learn to embrace challenges and our struggles in a humorous way, we shift our negative thinking into a more optimistic outlook.In this blog post, we’ll explore the often overlooked practice of laughter, self-deprecation, and how it holds the key to maintaining a healthy mindset. By embracing the art of self-laughter, you unlock a reservoir of joy, resilience, and a profound sense of acceptance.
Laughing at yourself relieves stress
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, our brain’s natural feel-good chemicals while also reducing stress hormones and subjective stress levels. This surge of positivity can alleviate continued moderate stress, improve the immune system, enhance mood,and even temporarily relieve pain.When we laugh at ourselves, we tap into this powerful stress-relief mechanism, allowing us to navigate challenges with a lighter heart and better mental health. This comes not only from the physical act of laughter, but also from the shift in mindset that occurs.Human beings are tuned to recognize the negative, and we’re more likely to see a stressful situation as threatening, without any ability to see a silver lining; when we start poking fun at our own mistakes, stressors, and challenges, we disarm that threat.Suddenly, this stressed out world has no more power, and we can find humor in the chaos that lets us reclaim our control over whatever situation we find ourselves in. We remind ourselves that mistakes are inevitable, and no one mishap defines us.
Laughing at yourself increases resilience
Resilience is the psychological trait of being able to “bounce back” from the negative effects of stress, challenges, and trauma. Embracing self-deprecation through laughter and humor builds resilience.People who are resilient have a greater tendency to avoid dwelling on past mishaps, and approach new challenges with increased optimism even after past failures. Being able to laugh at ourselves is incredibly helpful for moving on from mistakes, and reassure ourselves of our ability to succeed the next time. Our emotional well being is bolstered, and we’re better equipped for challenges just beyond the horizon.Laughter at our expense teaches us not to take ourselves too seriously, preserve our emotional well being, and to bounce back from setbacks with grace. When we can laugh at our own missteps, we empower ourselves to view challenges as positive opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Poking fun at ourselves cultivates self-acceptance and self-compassion
Laughing at yourself is a sign of self-acceptance. It means embracing your imperfections and quirks, and recognizing that they are what make you unique.Many of us are raised to hide imperfections, to overcome challenges quietly, and avoid making mistakes in front of others. There may have been times where this mindset served us well, but life throws new, more complex obstacles as we progress further. Suddenly, this coping mechanism starts to harm more than help, and our mental health and well being suffer.Laughing at our own flaws, these things we were taught to hide, nurtures our inner child, and we finally give them permission to breathe, relax, and accept all that we are. A good laugh every now and again is deceptively powerful in this respect: it can undo years of maladaptive coping mechanisms if done properly.Laughter lets us embrace the individual differences not only within ourselves, but those we find in others, too. In this respect, it improves our ability to give compassion to ourselves, and this self compassion can make all the difference during times of hardship and struggle.This practice fosters a deep sense of self-love and diminishes the need for perfectionism, allowing you to fully embrace your authentic self and live a more relaxed, positive life.
Humor, especially self-deprecating humor, is a powerful tool for building authentic connections with another person. When we’re able to laugh at ourselves, it signals to others that we’re approachable, relatable, and comfortable in our own skin. This simple act makes social interactions feel much more human.People are far more drawn to, and more likely to forge positive relationships with someone who is able to laugh at themselves.By poking fun at our quirks with self deprecating jokes or making light of our mistakes, we signal to others that we are less judgmental, more prone to see the funny side, and we appear generally more likable. You wouldn’t want to be friends with a person who never cracked a smile every now and again, right?A person who who is comfortable enough to employ self defeating humor appears more modest, less intimidating, and fosters more positive relationships.In short, laughing at yourself fosters an environment of trust and camaraderie. While intuitively we know nobody is perfect, it is refreshing to be reminded!
Laughing at ourselves encourages creative thinking
Embracing humor, especially when directed towards oneself, encourages creative thinking. It opens the mind to new perspectives and solutions. Laughter has the power to draw this out of us, almost automatically.Imagine you’re stuck in a difficult spot, where the challenges appear insurmountable. We’ve tried to solve the problem using our old tricks, but they simply aren’t working this time. Taking a step back and having a good laugh at our own expense — laughing at the situation itself — breaks us out of this cycle.A colleague of mine once shared a particular moment from childhood with me that illustrates fact particularly well. They were in math class and the entire class was struggling with a new concept. They didn’t remember what the problem was, but in my opinion, they certainly came away with a much more valuable lesson: the math teacher turned to the class and said:“Whenever you find yourself looking at a math equation that seems complex, insane, and impossible, try this: laugh. Laugh at the fact that this problem is confusing. Laugh at yourself that you’re in this position, looking at a crazy problem you don’t have the answer to. Then try again.”I thought this was a beautiful way of conceptualizing the power of laughter to facilitate a new way of tackling complex problems.We are far more likely to come up with more creative solutions if we are in a positive, more cognitively flexible mindset. A laugh can reframe challenges and allow us to tackle the same problem with renewed fervor.When we’re not bogged down by self-criticism, we’re free to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Conclusion
Laughter is a thread that can weave joy, enhance well being, foster connection, and build resilience. By extending this laughter to ourselves, we unlock a profound wellspring of acceptance and positivity.So, let’s not forget to find the humor in our own quirks and mishaps, and do our mental health a favor and share a laugh at our own expense. By embracing the art of self-laughter, we pave the way for a healthier, more balanced mindset that embraces life’s challenges with grace and a hearty chuckle.
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