While in English class, comedy is a genre of literature that generally has a happy ending, in pop culture it’s just fun, entertaining, and satirical. It also happens to be great for maintaining mental health.

Comedy can lift us up when we are feeling down and give everybody a better feeling. Comedy can also make us better people as well, because instead of people bottling up their feelings, comedy offers an outlet to release people’s frustrations through laughter instead of sadness or anger.

This is even more important now that the pandemic is in its second year. Frustrations are heightened as restrictions change, cases rise elsewhere in the world, and everyone wishes things would return to normal.

Mental health is a serious, complex topic. Young people face stress from homework and tests as well as problems with technology, relationship stress, and after-school job issues, all of which can quickly wear down the mind. 

Today’s teens are more aware of the importance of mental health, and schools offer more resources. Additionally, going to a therapist is a great way of working on mental health. 

But not everyone has access to a therapist, and some people want as many tools as possible to maintain a healthy mental attitude. Comedy can actually be a great way to help, at least in a small way. 

Comedy can help relieve anxiety, lessen grief, and reduce the loneliness that has been heightened even further because of the circumstances that the world has found itself in with the pandemic. 

Laughter can activate important feel-good hormones in the brain while also reducing stress-related hormones like cortisol. 

Laughter also increases the number of antibody-producing cells the human body has. It also enhances T-cells, which are at the core of adaptive immunity and help tailor the immune response, which equates to a stronger immune system.

Studies also show that humor has the ability to provide pain relief, improve positive emotions, regulate stress, disengage from distress, and improve interpersonal communications.