A strong sense of humor positively affects mental health

Experts state that appropriate and moderate, peaceful humor is enjoyed by almost everyone, and point out that research shows individuals with a strong sense of humor cope better with stress, get along better with others, and have better mental and even physical health. Experts say, “Humor not only regulates one's own negative emotions but also has a positive effect on one's environment. Being able to cheer up one’s surroundings and make them feel psychologically good gives psychological resilience to the person who uses humor.”

April 1st World Humor and Joke Day is celebrated on April 1st every year. It has generally become a tradition for people to play jokes on each other on Joke Day. Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Feneryolu Medical Center Psychiatry Specialist Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar evaluated the relationship between humor and psychology in her statement regarding April 1st Humor Day.

Focusing on the funny aspects ensures being at peace with life

Pointing out the place and importance of humor and jokes in life, Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar said, “Being able to focus on the funny aspects of a difficult situation and life ensures being at peace with oneself and with life. The ability to make positive humor is an important contribution for oneself and for one's environment. Jokes about things that can be universally considered funny are perfect for facilitating relationships. Being able to laugh at yourself and the absurdities of life is an effective tool for coping with stress or difficulties. However, humor that is aggressive towards one's environment or oneself is destructive; it wears down relationships and self-confidence.”

A strong sense of humor is effective in coping with stress

“Freud emphasized humor as the highest of defense mechanisms that can turn anxiety into pleasure,” said Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar, adding, “Appropriate and moderate, peaceful humor is enjoyed by almost everyone. Research shows that individuals with a strong sense of humor cope better with stress, get along better with others, and have better mental and even physical health. Studies have shown that people with a high sense of humor have stronger immune systems, experience less pain, and recover from illnesses with fewer symptoms.”

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar pointed out that humor is also listed among the characteristics of a “stronger person” in the current positive psychology movement, saying, “Humor not only regulates one's own negative emotions but also has a positive effect on one's environment. Being able to cheer up one’s surroundings and make them feel psychologically good gives psychological resilience to the person who uses humor.”

Destructive humor causes harm

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar, “Individuals who use humor in a non-demeaning and non-hostile way can successfully reduce interpersonal conflicts and tensions and increase positive emotions in others. However, using destructive, mocking humor instead of humor that is at peace with oneself and one’s environment can be equally destructive in relationships.”

A sense of humor is linked to strong social bonds

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar noted that a sense of humor is associated with stronger social bonds, greater ability to receive social support, greater self-confidence, and higher coping skills, saying, “Individuals who use humor more are found to have positive thinking, hopeful, and optimistic personality traits. These positive personality traits are further reinforced as these individuals use humor. Humor skills are also related to extroversion. A person who can establish relationships with individuals around them through the bridge of humor can find support more easily in difficult times.”

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar pointed out that many studies consistently find a high sense of humor to be associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety disorders, and stated that those who can resort to humor in situations of frustration, unmet expectations, and hindrance can regulate their negative emotions and overcome the effects of a negative event in a shorter time.

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar noted that appropriate and peaceful humor is a healthy way to express emotions, anger – resentment, expectations, dreams, and feelings to the environment, saying, “Relationship quality in marriage has been found to be related to the spouse's positively perceived humor quality. In other words, in humorous elements, how the other party perceives it is very important.”

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar also noted that humor is closely related to the ability to show intimacy, empathy, and social skills, saying, “It has been shown that children with high humor skills in school age are subjected to less bullying at school; and in adolescence, they adapt more easily to social environments. However, it is also known that an aggressive humor strategy is considered mockery and can have serious consequences on students' lives.”

The effect of laughter therapies is being investigated

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar noted that humor has an effect of reducing depression and soothing anxiety not only on the person making the humor but also on the person exposed to it, and said: “Stress hormones decrease in a person who laughs. For this reason, the effect of 'laughter therapies' in the treatment of various psychiatric diseases is being investigated. For example, in a study conducted with schizophrenia patients, hospitalized patients were divided into two groups. Both groups watched 70 films within three months. One group watched comedy films, while the other group watched films of different genres. While there was no difference between the two groups at the beginning, at the end of the three-month period, patients who watched comedy films were rated by the staff as having lower verbal hostility, anxiety/depression, and tension. Patients in the comedy film group also perceived receiving more support from hospital staff compared to patients in the other group.”

Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar noted that the sense of laughter and humor is currently considered to be related to psychological well-being, and said, “Humor quickly creates positive emotional changes and prevents the person from focusing on the negative. Peaceful humor strengthens coping skills, facilitates building social bonds, makes it easier to express emotions and thoughts, and guides in accepting what is difficult.”