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So, a coronavirus walks into a bar. and says to the bartender, “I’ll have a shot.” The bartender replies, “Great! You can register at www.cookcountycovid19.org!”
But seriously folks, should we be laughing when all around us is hardship, when so many people have lost so much, and when hope can seem in short supply?
The short answer is “Yes!” Here’s why:
We are still in the midst of a very serious situation: So that we can minimize infection risks, we must be serious about how we run mundane errands and have casual conversations. So that we can be well-informed and make good decisions, we must be serious about vetting information sources. So that we don’t contribute to the spread of an infodemic, we must be serious about how we then share that information. But being serious about protecting our health and the health of others doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look for things to laugh about. In fact, a robust response to serious situations often includes a generous dose of humor.
Hey there buddy, you’re looking a little bit “ruff”. Photo courtesy of Hartley Newell- Acero
Control
When it feels like the rug has been jerked out from under us, humor helps us find the places where we still have control. Laughter can help discharge anger and anxiety, leaving us more emotionally balanced. We are then able to better control our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – to better “self-regulate.” Additionally, when we shine a light on the ridiculous aspects of a situation, we’re no longer completely at the mercy of that situation. Making jokes about what’s happening in our lives can remind us that we still have the power to shape our experiences.
My sweetheart purchased a world map and then gave me a dart and said, “Throw this and wherever it lands—that’s where I’m taking you when this pandemic ends.” Turns out, we’ll be spending two weeks behind the fridge.
Connection
Because most things are funniest when they’re shared, laughter can create connection. We’re reaching out and examining a shared experience. We find places of similarity and are strengthened by these links. We’re reminded that even when times are scary, we’re not alone.
When I was on a walk this morning, I saw my neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious that she thought her cat understood her. I came home and told my dog. We laughed a lot.
Health
There’s a reason it feels so pleasant to laugh—it’s doing our bodies good! When we laugh, we increase our heart rates and breath more deeply, thus pumping more oxygen to our hearts, brains, and muscles. This “mini-workout” results in lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. Over time, plenty of laughter can bolster our immune system, relieve pain, and improve our mood.
If you bought 144 rolls of toilet paper in preparation for a 14-day quarantine, you probably should have been seeing a doctor long before coronavirus.
Hurting instead of Healing
Not all laughter heals. The childhood lesson about laughing with someone instead of at someone always holds true. If a joke is meant to degrade, manipulate, inflict pain upon someone (even if that someone is yourself), is it really just a joke anymore? There’s a fine line between appreciating dark or edgy humor and using that as a camouflage for being cruel to yourself or others.
If you’re having difficulty finding anything to laugh about, or if the things that you’re laughing at cause hurt, connect with the Medical or Behavioral Health Teams at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. They can help you find ways to add humor back to your “Remedies for Hard Times” medicine chest.
I could tell you a coronavirus joke now, but then you’d have to wait two weeks to see if you got it.
To read the rest of the newsletter and learn about the Four Styles of Humor, how they can impact your health, and how to “find the funny” in your life, visit www.sawtoothmountainclinic.org.
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