April Fool’s Day, known for its celebration of mischief, serves as a reminder that laughing is good for our health. That’s according to Scott Bea, PsyD of Cleveland Clinic. He says humor, in general, whether its April Fool’s Day or some other experience of humor, tends to create social bonding and that people “tend to bond around similar types of humor, the things that we find funny, that we share in common with others, bring us together.” It also offers other health benefits. But, added Bea, in order for a joke to be fun and harmless, make sure you know the person on the receiving end very well.
“People are just built differently - and we’re built differently with respect to our sensitivities, and people who naturally have a capacity to laugh at themselves, or who will poke fun at themselves, are going to be better targets,” he told Cleveland Clinic News Service. "Whereas with somebody who gets broken up over those sorts of matters, it could lead to upset."
Dr. Bea said a when people do jokes well, and in good fun, bonding occurs, and when we laugh, we release oxytocin and dopamine, which makes us feel good.
“Humor is thought to be one of the most sophisticated psychological defenses; the way we defend ourselves against the tough parts of being human,” he said. “We think it does release brain chemicals too, dopamine, the feel-good chemical. If people are really laughing hard, there’s no question that dopamine is being released.”
But remember, if you’re going to play the mischief-maker today, reminds Bea, you have to be willing to let yourself be a target too.
