Many do not feel that humor is necessary or important. Yet, it is crucial. A large subtheme of the element of positivity was humor. For many, humor was a way to cope with the stressors of life. If you encounter a serious situation, humor can be a major key in overcoming it. Humor doesn’t mean you aren’t taking the situation seriously; it means that you are trying to emotionally take a step back from the problem and gain some perspective in order to make the best decision possible.
When it comes to humor at work, for leaders and corporate executives, humor helps connect them with their employees. It helps build bridges and trust. Maya Angelou always said, “I don’t trust anyone who does not laugh.” Humor makes them more human. For an employee, humor can instill a greater work ethic. A happy worker is much more productive at work so when choosing a work environment, it’s important to look for a culture of levity.
Many people feel that they don’t have a sense of humor at all, but that’s really not true. Everyone has a sense of humor, it’s just that for some people, it’s still hiding under the bed, afraid to come out. There are many types of humor: irreverent; self-deprecating, joke-telling, story-telling, observational, sarcasm, and many more. You might not be able to tell a “three people walk into a bar,” type joke; but maybe you can see the humor in forgetting your umbrella on a rainy day; or recognize Murphy’s Law in action.
Humor is not just for fun; it also lowers stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, and can leave your muscles physically relaxed. So, the next time you are faced with something serious, see if you can find the humor in the situation. You’ll feel much better and make better decisions if you do.