The Power of Humor for Stress Relief-The Instant Mind Shift

Let’s talk about the power of humor for stress relief. We’re living in a world that’s moving incredibly fast.  On top of our personal problems and everyday pressures, the newspapers and evening newscasts tell us that our economy is falling apart. Corporations are being forced to downsize. Massive technological advances are causing people to re-evaluate, adjust and change their lives.  Cell phones, tablet devices, e-mails, social media, text messages and even Artificial Intelligence applications are clogging our minds.

To compound this, political unrest, crime, disease, prejudice, the and violence are running rampant, as they’ve done for centuries past.  Hold on a second.  I need to take a break here.  I’m getting depressed.  I’ll be right back. 

The Power of Humor for Stress Relief

Okay, I’m back now.  Where was I?  Oh yeah, I remember.  The divorce rate is at an all-time high. Despite an unwilling public, war seems to be the number one strategy for dealing with conflict. At any moment we could be the target of a terrorist attack.  It’s really no wonder why so many of us have to be medicated in some way or another in order to cope with the madness our civilization has created!  

We all need ways to reduce the tension, and deal with the fast pace that we are subjected to every day.  Emphatically, I believe that our ability to shift and occasionally laugh off the major and minor tensions in our lives is crucial in order for us to survive the insanity. We need the power of humor for stress relief! I’m not just suggesting this, I’m telling you…

We have to take time out of each day and laugh.  Why do you think that people go to comedy clubs, watch sitcoms or see funny movies?  Because they want to laugh.  Why do they want to laugh?  For the same reason that they want to have sex: It simply makes them feel good.  A physiological and mental reaction takes place when you laugh.  Laughter charges your inner battery and helps you cope with tough times.  Even if you are having a really bad day, when you laugh life doesn’t seem that bad after all.  

Your “Humor Being” is Powerful

This is why I urge you to unleash the power of your Humor Being on a daily basis.  Right now you’re probably wondering, “Great, Steve.  I’ll do that.  But what is a ‘Humor Being?’”  That, I can explain.  

Let me start off by saying that I believe that everyone on this planet is born with their own internal Humor Being. Unfortunately, most people live their entire lives without ever knowing they have this. It’s a powerful gift but most don’t know how to tap into it and make it work for them.

Your Humor Being is part of your higher nature.  It’s the part of you, that brings out the best of who you when times get tough.  What your Humor Being gives you more than anything else is emotional stability and peace of mind.  Making a habit of invoking your Humor Being will turn you into a happier person with a brighter outlook, in business and in life, regardless of your circumstances. It will show you the power of humor for stress relief.

Seeing the Bright Side: Humor as Stress Relief

Tapping into your Humor Being is one of my “Commonsense Success Strategies” that can help you cope with the natural ups and downs of life.  Instead of going through life allowing unfortunate situations, unlucky circumstances, and foul people to suck the energy right out of us, we can turn to our Humor Being for a levity break. Those who make the shift and live in harmony with their Humor Being have the ability to see the bright side of a negative situation.  They embrace change more easily and make conscious choices to enjoy themselves during the process of whatever they are trying to achieve.  

My parents taught me four important things about life: You have to be proud of who you are. You have to be proud of where you’re from. You have to be proud of what you do for a living.  And you need a sense of humor about all three.  I will take that with me until the day I die.

Humor Even in Arguments

My entire family has a great sense of humor. Humor was the one thing that helped us through the tough times. However, I believe my mom and dad were at their funniest when they weren’t trying to be, especially when they were arguing. Like the first time I used the family car and got into an accident.  This of course was right after my father gave me the big lecture.  “Look at me.” He said, (I could never understand why he always said that to me, as if looking at him was going to make me hear better.)  “This is the only car this family has!  Don’t get into an accident!”  Well, I wasn’t planning on it, but since he planted the thought in my head, that’s all I could think of.  And as you probably know, “what you think is what you get.”

“Are You Okay?”

I remember calling from a pay phone, (they didn’t have cell phones then) praying that my mother would answer the phone. “Mom, I got into an accident!” I said.  “Oh my God!” she said, “Are you okay!”  I felt instant relief that her only concern was about my welfare.  Then I heard my father’s voice screaming out from the background.  “How’s the car!”  That’s when the argument started.  My mother said, “Your son just got into an accident!  Who cares about the car?”   My father’s reply, “Hey, we have three sons and one car!”  And the argument continued.

About the Author: Steve Rizzo is the Mindset Adjuster. You can’t attend one of his keynote speeches, seminars, or read his books and leave with the same mindset. He’s a personal development expert, funny keynote speaker, corporate-comedian, and best-selling author. It’s no surprise that Steve is also a Hall of Fame Speaker Inductee, an honor bestowed upon fewer than 300 speakers worldwide since 1977.