It’s interesting to reflect that when people develop psychological problems it’s because, on some level, they have stopped being flexible around the difficulties they face in their lives. Humour is such a boon to good mental health because it keeps flexibility of mind well and truly intact and uses new perspectives, objectivity and detachment from one’s own emotionality. It also, of course, feels good

I wrote How to be seriously funny with this in mind mentioning that one of the first things that perfectionists do or dictatorships for that matter is try to stamp out humour as it threatens narrow thinking and dogma and thereby seems to undermine authority. A sure sign that someone is either very self important and/or very insecure is that they are extremely uncomfortable with humour and like to be taken (and of course take themselves) very seriously.

The pomposity of dogmas and dictatorships is prime material for the humorous, creative and flexible mind. Humour can be applied respectfully to just about everything in life. This doesn’t mean we have to joke and laugh all the time-but having the capacity and potential to do so means we can stay creative, be human and be happier. Loss of humour accompanies loss of perspective and onset of depression.

Serious things can be understood using humour and humour is a serious business when we consider the benefits it confers not just to individuals but as a safe guard from pomposity and tyranny for whole cultures.

See this How to cultivate Humour article for those experiencing depression

Mark