After toying with several ideas, I decided to write about one characteristic I really admire in people; a sense of humor.“If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable, without knowing it” ~HerodotusWe may not all be born comedians, but most people are naturally humorous. Some people effortlessly see humor in their surrounding, while others may not have such an easy flair for noticing the lighter side of things.
A Sense Of Humor Can Truly Save The Day
- Pulling your hair out…screaming profanities…banging your head against the wall. These are all tempting ways to deal with the everyday situations that drive us crazy. Regardless of what brand of humor appeals to you, the ability to find humor in stressful or uncomfortable situations can provide important benefits to your psychological and physical well-being.
- Humor enhances our ability to connect with others. Sometimes, it can increase trust and likability.
- Humor can defuse negative emotions such as anger and guilt, spark
enthusiasm, and inspire motivation. - At some point, we’ve all come across a tight-jawed sourpuss who takes everything with deathly seriousness and never laughs at anything. Expressing humor can reduce the inhibitions and increase the self-confidence of individuals who are otherwise shy and introverted by nature.
- Humor helps us cope, conquer, and carry on. It actually makes us measurably tougher!
If you can laugh at it, you can survive it ~Bill Cosby
Humor: General Guidelines You Should Follow
There aren’t definite rules of what’s funny and what isn’t. It’s really a matter of personal taste. However, use humor with care by being mindful of the following.1. Play Nice. Commiserate, don’t humiliate. Ensure that the person is enjoying your attempts at humor. Keep in mind that “inside jokes” can sometimes make people feel excluded.
2. Timing is everything. Humor doesn’t work in every situation. It can detract from a serious discussion. On the other hand, it can ease tensions when things get too serious. Also, don't use humor when someone else is suffering a serious crisis, or when you are attending a somber event, such as a funeral etc.
3. Don’t overuse humor. At times, there is a need to seriously confront other people or our own pain. Don’t mask the pain and don’t use humor as an excuse for not confronting others when necessary.
4. Find your own style. Some people are spontaneous and outgoing. Others are low key, watchful, and bemused. Some tell jokes or make others laugh in other ways.
Much of humor depends upon shared experiences.. seeing things the same way. It relies on your point of view, your beliefs on life, your way of thinking.
