That’s Funny: The Connection Between “Daily Humor Behavior” And Emotional Well-Being

Comedy Can Empower Us To Think Creatively Under Stress

Comedian Josh Johnson, who has had a long career as a stand-up and won multiple Emmys writing for The Daily Show made a wonderful recommendation for a way to boost well-being when he was interviewed for The Science Of Happiness podcast: Take at least 10 minutes a day “to write 3 of the funniest moments you experienced throughout the day.” Write with detail, and include why you found this funny. Reflection on our daily life is a mindfulness practice associated with resilience and greater self-care, but choosing to look at the ordinary through a comedic lens adds a wonderful boost of well-being by tapping our creative mind in a deeply personal way.

Later in the episode, positive psychologist Sonja Heintz explains why this is a mindfulness practice that has real psychological benefits. In her research, Heintz found a correlation between “daily human behavior” and emotional stability and well-being.

Looking at life through a comedic lens is a skill that anyone can learn and it can inspire us to think with the creativity we need to take on difficult challenges. Improv is an art form that can make this practice more accessible to anyone. The skills learned through improv exercises ignite creativity, improve communication and connection in relationships, and are one of the most direct pathways to finding the funny that can emerge from human interaction grounded in positive intention.

Life can be so difficult. We have challenges to work through, and to manage the stress it helps to have as much fun as possible.