There was a study done on smiling which showed that smiling releases all kinds of chemicals in the brain that make us feel warm and fuzzy. The researchers also found that it didn’t matter if it was a real smile or a fake smile, the end result, the warm and fuzzy feelings, were the same. The mind doesn’t care if you’re faking it.
And I’m betting that laughter is the same. Melissa Wanzer, EdD, professor of communication studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, has done some fascinating work on the power of laughter:
“If employees view their managers as humor-oriented, they also view them as more effective,” notes Wanzer. “Employees also reported higher job satisfaction when they worked for someone who was more humor-oriented and used humor effectively and appropriately.” Wanzer and her colleagues found that humor is an effective way to cope with on-the-job stress – again, when used appropriately.
Wanzer also recently collaborated on research that found aging adults who used humor more frequently reported greater coping efficacy, which led to greater life satisfaction. This was the third study she conducted, with three different populations, where the conclusion was the same.
But what if you don’t consider yourself to be particularly funny? Wanzer says that while you can’t change your personality, you can find ways to integrate humor into your day-to-day life and change your communication patterns.
The only part I take issues with there is that you can’t change your personality. I don’t believe that for a minute. If you want to become a funny person don’t think for a second that you can’t. Humor is a skill, like public speaking. It can be developed. There are more than a few comedians out there who would probably agree with me.
But whether you want to be a comedian or just relieve a little stress, try to work some humor in to your life. You’ll be glad you did.
Laughter is the Best Medicine via Science Daily
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