046 - Humor

We love to laugh! Both of our families joke around a lot. But humor done wrong can do a lot of damage. We want to make sure our teens understand why humor is helpful, but also how to use it in the right way.  Humor can teach important life skills Helps us see things from a different perspective Helps us grasp unconventional ideas Helps us enjoy the playful side of life Helps us not take ourselves too seriously Helps us get through hard times Benefits of laughing Stimulates muscles Releases endorphins Soothes tension Improves mood Enhances memory Relieves Pain Improves immune system Helps us bond How to find more humor in life Don't take yourself so seriously Spend time with people that make you laugh Hang up things and text things that make you laugh Cultivate family quotes Where to draw the line Boundaries when it comes to jokes Avoid inside jokes in front of others Take into consideration context (who the target of the joke is, who is your audience, what is the occasion) Apologize if you offend AND speak up if a joke offends you Resources: Brandon M. Savage, Heidi L. Lujan, Raghavendar R. Thipparthi, and Stephen E. DiCarlo Humor, laughter, learning, and health! A brief review, https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00030.2017 Kids Health, Encouraging Your Child’s Sense of Humor, https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/child-humor.html Donna Wolter, The Benefits of Laughter, https://youthfirstinc.org/the-benefits-of-laughter/  Skills You Need, Developing Humour, https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/developing-humour.html  Stress Relief from Laughter, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456 Maia Szalavitz, It’s No Joke: Why Laughter Kills Physical Pain, https://healthland.time.com/2011/09/14/its-no-joke-why-laughter-kills-physical-pain/ Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter, https://www.verywellmind.com/health-benefits-of-humor-and-laughter-5101137 How Laughter Affects Our Health, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_cSy0IIOg @thejohnsonfiles The Bad Broad Cast Podcast, Episode 32, The V Word Marjorie Hinckley, https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/event/marjorie-pay-hinckley?lang=eng Joseph B. Wirthlin, Come Way May and Love It, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng