I first became aware of the power of humor in wellness through my involvement with Cactus Inc. and our Man Therapy initiative. In this program, we used humorous outward facing media to draw men into the website portal and then self-assess for depression, anxiety, anger and substance use issues. When we evaluated the program, the humor was the #1 thing the guys told us they liked because it helped put them at ease.

Having a sense of humor is a sign of emotional well-being. Here are five ways humor helps our wellness:

Stress-relief: When we laugh we increase our endorphins and decrease our stress-related hormone cortisol. These responses help us relax.

Connect: Humor pulls down social barriers and helps us overcome conflict.

Distraction: Humor can take our mind off our problems. A good coping strategy when you are feeling blue is to put on your favorite stand-up comedian or funny movie.

Perspective: When we can laugh at ourselves, we can often find the funny in our distress and put our woes into perspective.

Positivity: Humor gives us positive feelings like hopefulness and amusement that can counter-act dysphoric moods.

In this interview I get the opportunity to chat with the “Mental Health Comedian” Frank King. Frank has used his sense of humor to help open up conversations about depression and suicide from classrooms to corporate conference rooms. Join me as we put on our “giggle goggles” together and learn more about how laughing helps heal us.

About Frank King
Frank King
Frank King, The Mental Health Comedian, was a writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years.

Depression and suicide run his family. He’s thought about killing himself more times than he can count. He’s lived with Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Suicidality turning that long dark journey of the soul into 5 TEDx Talks, and sharing his lifesaving insights with corporation, association and college audiences.

Coming out, as it were, and standing in his truth, and doing it with humor.

He believes that where there is humor there is hope, where there is laughter there is life, nobody dies laughing. For more information on this and every episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/27