Uncover stress management strategies that transform daily challenges into moments of laughter and lightness. This article distills wisdom from seasoned experts to provide practical tips for infusing humor into everyday life. Learn how to recognize the comical in the mundane and embrace joy in the simplest activities.
- Intentionally Create Space for Lightness
- Narrate Your Day with Humor
- Spot the Ridiculous in Daily Grind
- Meditate Daily and Find Humor
- Cultivate Humor and Seek Joy
- Keep a Running Comedy Log
- Use Dry or Dark Humor Carefully
Intentionally Create Space for Lightness
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles, one of the most effective ways I manage stress is by intentionally creating space for lightness—through humor, playful curiosity, and genuine laughter. I find joy in the small, often absurd moments of everyday life, and I try not to take myself too seriously. Whether it’s sending a funny meme to a colleague, sharing a laugh with a client when appropriate, or narrating my day in an overly dramatic voice just to crack myself up—these simple moments offer much-needed emotional breathing room.
Laughter has become a powerful coping tool in my own life. It breaks up the intensity of stress, offers perspective, and reconnects me to my resilience. In moments of overwhelm, it grounds me in the present and gently shifts my focus from what’s heavy to what’s human. Laughter doesn’t fix everything—but it softens the edges, makes the hard parts more manageable, and amplifies the sweetness in everyday joy.
Christine Wong
CEO, Momentum Mindfulness Family Counseling
Narrate Your Day with Humor
Honestly? I’ve found that the best way to manage stress is to stop taking myself so seriously. Life has already handed me a Ph.D. in chaos (to match the real one I am almost done with in Psychology), so now I try to find the absurdity in it all—because sometimes if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry… and mascara is expensive.
My job is storytelling, so it doesn’t surprise me that internal narratives are my stress relief of choice! I narrate my day like a dry-witted documentary: “Here we see a woman in her natural habitat, bravely facing the laundry pile she’s ignored for three days. Will she conquer the fitted sheet? Unlikely.”
That little shift—being able to laugh at the small, ridiculous moments—helps me step outside of the overwhelm and reframe the situation. It’s a reminder that joy can exist even on the hard days.
Laughter, for me, is resilience in disguise. It’s a way of reclaiming power over stress by choosing to find the light—even if it’s just the light inside the fridge as I open it for the 12th time, still not knowing what I’m looking for.
Danielle Dahl
Co-Founder, Resilient Stories
Spot the Ridiculous in Daily Grind
I lean on absurd humor. My go-to stress management technique is to spot the ridiculous in daily grind—turn a call with a difficult person or a long line into South Park material. It’s not forced—it’s catching the oddball moments and flipping them into a real dopamine hit—one that isn’t from my phone or shoved in my face from the ad algorithms of life.
This works because it breaks the tension loop. Stress thrives on overthinking; humor snaps that chain. It’s unconventional and often inappropriate, but it shifts my headspace for the better. Laughter is the way I clear my cache—studies say it cuts cortisol by up to 30% or so, and I feel that drop. Having a laugh after a rough call, day, event, etc. can shave a lot of time off my recovery times, turning the downsides of life into a coping mechanism or at least into a shrug.
I used to let stress pile up—conflicts, bills, whatever—until I was a knot. Now, finding the laugh, even a small one, keeps me in check. It’s not about getting rid of problems; it’s about not letting them own me while I fix them. Humor is free, fast, and incredibly effective.
Chris Brewer
Managing Director, Best Retreats
Meditate Daily and Find Humor
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we manage it makes all the difference in our well-being. For me, one of the most effective techniques for managing stress and cultivating joy is through a daily meditation practice, coupled with the ability to find humor in everyday moments. The teachings of Dr. Joe Dispenza, particularly his work on neuroplasticity and emotional mastery, have played a profound role in shaping how I approach stress and laughter.
Dr. Dispenza emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and the ability to elevate our emotional state, even in the face of stress. His work has taught me that we can change our brain chemistry and rewire our neural pathways by consciously choosing how we respond to life’s challenges. One of the most powerful tools in my stress management toolkit is my daily meditation practice. By taking time each day to quiet my mind, focus on my breath, and center my thoughts, I create space for emotional balance and resilience. Meditation not only helps me clear mental clutter but also allows me to cultivate a sense of inner peace, which is essential for managing stress.
But there’s another powerful element that I’ve learned to incorporate into my life: humor. Dr. Dispenza’s teachings highlight the profound effect our emotional states have on our bodies, and humor is one of the most effective ways to shift from a stress-induced state to one of joy and lightness. Laughter, in particular, has a physiological impact—it lowers cortisol levels, boosts endorphins, and creates a sense of connection with others. This is why I make it a priority to seek out moments of humor, whether through lighthearted conversations, funny videos, or simply finding the absurdity in everyday situations.
I’ve learned that laughter is a natural antidote to stress. It brings us into the present moment, breaks the grip of negative thought patterns, and helps us connect with the lighter side of life.
Meditation also plays a significant role in this process. By meditating daily, I’m able to reprogram my brain to respond to stress with greater resilience and humor. When I encounter stressful situations, I can use the calming effect of my meditation practice to create space between the stimulus and my response, allowing me to choose humor and a lighter perspective.
Benjamin Benumof
President & CEO, IF NOT, THEN WHY?
Cultivate Humor and Seek Joy
Stress is an almost unavoidable part of modern life, stemming from work pressures, personal responsibilities, and the pace of navigating our daily routines. While many coping mechanisms exist, one powerful yet often underestimated tool is cultivating humor and the intentional search for joy in everyday moments. It’s about actively shifting perspective, even when things feel overwhelming. Finding the funny side doesn’t mean dismissing the seriousness of a situation but instead allowing yourself a moment of levity, a different lens through which to view challenges. This philosophy might involve learning to laugh at minor mishaps, appreciating life’s absurdities, or consciously looking for irony or exaggeration in stressful scenarios. It’s a practice, like any other skill, that improves with attention and effort.
Coupled with seeking humor is the practice of finding joy in the small, seemingly insignificant parts of our day. This joy could be as simple as savoring a morning coffee, noticing the sun’s warmth, enjoying a pleasant interaction, or appreciating a quiet moment. It requires a degree of mindfulness and a conscious effort to be present and notice the good, however small. This focus on positive moments, even fleeting ones, acts as a buffer against the cumulative effects of stress. It builds a reserve of positive feelings that can be drawn upon when difficulties arise, making challenges feel less insurmountable. Making it a habit to look for these small pockets of positivity throughout the day can fundamentally change our outlook.
Laughter itself is a potent stress reliever. Physiologically, a good laugh can increase oxygen intake, stimulate circulation, and relax muscles, helping to dissipate physical tension. Psychologically, it provides an immediate mood boost by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. It can instantly change our emotional state, pulling us out of negative thought loops and offering a much-needed mental break. Sharing a laugh with others strengthens social bonds, reminding us we’re not alone in our struggles. Embracing humor and actively seeking moments of joy isn’t about ignoring difficulties; it’s about building resilience and finding sustainable ways to navigate life’s inevitable pressures with a lighter heart and a clearer mind. It’s a conscious choice to find light even in demanding times.
Steve Fleurant
CEO, Clair Services
Keep a Running Comedy Log
A few years ago, during one of the most overwhelming workweeks I can remember, I accidentally sent an email with the subject line “Urgent! Please Read”… to myself. Instead of spiraling from stress, I burst out laughing. That tiny moment flipped the script on my entire day—and that’s when I realized laughter could be a powerful tool for managing pressure.
Since then, I’ve kept a running “Comedy Log” on my phone—a super simple habit where I jot down anything funny I experience each day. It could be a clumsy moment, a weird autocorrect, or something ridiculous a friend said over text. It started as stress relief, but now it’s part of my daily routine.
What surprised me is how much this small habit rewired my perspective. When I’m knee-deep in deadlines or something goes sideways, my first reaction isn’t always frustration—it’s often, “Okay, how ridiculous is this going to sound in my log later?” That shift alone takes the edge off and helps me move forward more calmly.
Even better, revisiting those entries on tough days gives me an instant morale boost. It reminds me that joy is always hiding in the margins—we just have to train ourselves to notice it. Laughter hasn’t eliminated my stress, but it’s helped me carry it with a lot more lightness and way fewer headaches.
Murray Seaton
Founder and CEO of Hypervibe / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)
Use Dry or Dark Humor Carefully
I sometimes use dry humour or even dark humour to manage stressful situations. However, the downside is that not everyone understands the jokes, and in some situations, people have gotten offended. When my jokes do land, they lighten the mood and make everyone more cheerful and happy. I feel that it is worth it to make a harmless but somewhat risky joke if the joke can help brighten someone’s day. Laughter in the workplace allows everyone to relax, calibrate, and approach tasks with a refreshed and positive mindset, which can, in turn, lead to greater productivity.
Nneoma Oguejiofor
Dance Teacher/Choreographer, Omachoreography
