Laughter protects you physically and psychologically. It is not hard to see how laughter can help to reduce the negative effects of depression.
Many great comedians have battled with depression and their work seems to have helped them. It can also help survival by reducing the incidence of severe mental health issues. Personally, some of the best humour I experienced was in the Army.
Types of humour can be linked to different drives:
- SURVIVAL: To relieve stress in life-threatening or black situations.
- PLEASURE: To experience physical pleasure from the release of endorphins.
- POWER: To gain a sense of superiority.
“Power” humour is characterised by put-down humour and is commonly the motivation behind racist, ethnic, or sexist jokes. But it is also evident in clever humour or repartee.
Level two humour is most obviously to do with enjoyment, and it can be nonsensical.
Humour is also quite cultural - a top rated Dutch joke was: “Why do ducks have webbed feet? To stamp out fires. Why do elephants have flat feet. To stamp out burning ducks”
Level one humour helps us to cope with hardship and life-threatening situations. It helps reduce or deal with mental health issues - such as PTSD - when in extreme experiences, but of course nothing makes us bullet proof.
What is the typical level of humour you most use or hear?
