from library think quest:
“Under distress, or any intense, negative emotion, we are focussed on the problem. In fact, sometimes we may be too close to it to actually find the solution. Imagine being in a pool with a huge wall around it – it feels like there is nothing else in the whole world except this pool. The only way we will realize that this pool is a small fraction of what makes up the whole world is if we get out. To do that, we sometimes need a little help (like a long ladder against the wall).
Humor provides the ladder we need to climb up out of our problem pool onto solid ground, where we can gain a fuller and more realistic perspective of the world and the overall significance of the problem. It is a cathartic (cleansing) release, which clears our head of fogging emotions and renews our bodies so they are refreshed for action!
How does Laughter renew us?
Laughing invokes feelings of happiness and joy. Instead of being all gloomy and frustrated because there is no perceived solution, laughing lifts us up out of our pool of problems and plops us on solid ground where we can gain some new insights. Under conditions of happiness, joy and merriment, it is much easier to think creatively around a problem than when our mind is filled with a sense of helplessness, worthlessness and inadequacy.
This is particularly evident when there are a few people involved in a project. Shared laughter promotes bondage and unity within the group. People feel more welcome and free to offer suggestions and think out loud. They’re not afraid of being put-down, so will risk sharing their opinion.
Laughter also opens the door to more real and risky communication. Sometimes people are feeling scared or overwhelmed by conditions, but don’t know how to express it. If a humorous comment is made that expresses the concerns in an exaggerated way, people will laugh. This then enables them to talk about the uncomfortable issues or concerns. By laughing, an entry is made for talk about the subject.
As the old saying goes:-
“Those who laugh…last.”
“
