Are you experiencing a crisis? Start laughing more, even at yourself

In the context of such challenging and often painful experiences, humour can seem an unlikely tool for coping with anything. Many people will tell themselves that laughter can't solve anything, it just helps us in the short term to not think about the issue from such a "black" point of view. Yet its role in overcoming a crisis is invaluable.

Humour serves as a unique mechanism that allows individuals and communities to gain a new perspective on their situation, reduce emotional tension and restore a sense of control. In practice, humor can lighten dark moments, relieve stress, and strengthen inner resilience, bringing relief even in the most difficult moments. In addition, by sharing humour with others, social bonds are strengthened, a sense of belonging is fostered and communities can come together to face the challenges ahead.

Relaxation theory

One possible explanation for why people find humour in situations that could be considered dangerous or threatening is the 'relaxation theory', which is one of the main theories of humour.

Elaborated by neurologist and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, release theory suggests that humor and laughter serve as a way to release built-up psychological tension or repressed emotions. According to this theory, humour can be a way of coping with our fears, anxieties or social taboos by allowing us to experience and release these feelings in a safe and socially acceptable context.

In the event that one fears a particular danger and subsequently finds that everything is fine, or at least not so hot, the ensuing laughter can act as a way to release accumulated tension and relieve feelings of fear. But laughter at such moments also strengthens the social bonds between the people who share the experience, as shared laughter can lead to a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

This mechanism may also be a way in which people help each other process and cope with difficult life events or crises. Humour can therefore serve as a defence mechanism to help us cope with fear and uncertainty in a world full of uncertainties.

Reducing stress hormones

When we laugh, our body responds by releasing various chemicals that have a positive effect on our overall health. One of the most significant reactions is the reduction of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are released as part of our stress response and can be helpful to the body in the short term, but high levels over the long term can lead to a number of health problems, including lowered immunity and increased risk of chronic disease. Laughter and humour can therefore help restore the body's own balance by alleviating these stress responses.

Happiness hormones

Laughter also stimulates the production of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters known as "happiness hormones." These chemicals naturally induce feelings of happiness and contentment and can even relieve physical pain. This makes humour an effective means of improving mood and enhancing feelings of well-being, allowing people to better manage stress and worry.

In addition to its immediate effects on reducing stress and improving mood, humour also has long-term benefits for mental resilience. The latter refers to an individual's ability to overcome challenging situations, learn from them and evolve. Humour and the ability to see the bright side of things can help people approach problems with greater flexibility and creativity in the future.

For these reasons, humour is extremely important for mental health and resilience. Not only does it enable people to handle stress and difficult situations with greater ease, but it also strengthens their ability to adapt, learn and grow through the challenges that life presents.

Humour against dictatorship and death

Up until now, the talk has been more about personal problems, the challenging situations of an ordinary day that can be diffused with conversations with family or friends. But of course, there are much more serious situations where the idea of laughter is quite challenging.

For example, it wasn't just during World War I that soldiers used humor as a way to cope with the horrors of trench warfare. Jokes and satirical newspapers such as the British "The Wipers Times" were created right in the trenches and helped keep up the morale of the soldiers by laughing at the absurdity and tragedy of their situation.

A world-famous meme that shows the foolishness of acting in a crisis situation, as well as the absurd moment when we can look at a difficult situation with perspective
Photo: Giphy.com

But they are not alone in this. Doctors and nurses often use humor as a way to ease tensions and create a more relaxed atmosphere for patients and themselves. Studies have shown that humor can improve patient satisfaction, reduce patient anxiety, and even improve treatment outcomes.

In many historical, as well as contemporary cases, satire has served as a means of expressing dissent and criticism against political regimes where open protest was and is not possible. Satirical magazines, cartoons, and plays have helped and continue to help communities stay united and maintain a "spirit of resistance." Let us just think of our legendary magazine Porcupine, distributed during the communist rule, whose front page carried the slogan: "Everything goes better with a smile".

The coin has two sides

However, it is good to remember that when using humour in challenging situations, it is important to strike a balance between lightness and sensitivity so that humour is accepted and not seen as disrespectful. Different forms of humour, including satire, parody and self-irony, can have specific benefits in the context of a crisis, but require careful consideration and respect for the situation and the people involved.

Satire can be an important tool for commenting on social, political or economic issues, often using exaggeration and irony. It can provide a perspective that helps people to question the status quo and provoke debate. However, it must be used judiciously to avoid ridiculing victims or making light of their suffering.

Parody, which mimics the style or content of a particular work, person or situation in order to entertain, can provide relief in difficult times by presenting a humorous version of a particular topic. Its use requires sensitivity so that parody is not seen as mockery but rather as a way to convey criticism or encourage self-reflection.

Very importantly, self-irony, that is, the ability to laugh at oneself and one's own shortcomings or the situations in which one finds oneself, can be an extremely effective way of coping with a crisis. It provides a space to acknowledge one's own limitations or mistakes without having to be too hard on oneself. This type of humour can promote a healthy self-concept and encourage others to view the situation with a greater degree of lightness.

So although humour alone cannot significantly resolve crises, it can help us to handle them with a much greater degree of calm. Don't be afraid to laugh, even at yourself, in such difficult moments. Life is too short to live it in constant stress.