For generations, we’ve heard the expression, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Science has proven this to be true through studies that show reductions in cortisol levels after intense laughter. Cortisol is the stress hormone that can cause digestive issues, anxiety, weight gain and a whole host of other issues when the body produces too much of it. “Stress?” you say? Yes. Government employees who are working during a highly contentious election year can experience incredible and sometimes crippling stress. So, how do you reduce that cortisol? You find your humor in all the madness, and given the general mood and climate lately, there’s plenty of material.
Get Going — I Meme It!
What one person finds hilarious, someone else could possibly find offensive, so a sense of humor is a very individual thing. The key is to find what tickles your funny bone and turn to it as often as possible. For many of us, this can be memes. Memes capture irony, fails, silliness, and zany perspectives in countless ways. Meme generating apps can help you to create new ones in seconds. There are even database websites with huge meme libraries. So, this humor tool is accessible and easy. You can even go the “old school” route and create a meme using the features in Microsoft PowerPoint. Memes make the rounds of the internet, because it’s okay to capture them from one site to share them with others.
But, What do you Meme?
Have you ever checked out social media after a major news story or company announcement? Platforms like BuzzFeed and X are rife with memes almost immediately after a major event. Then there are the laser-focused memes that relate to hobbies and interests, such as this example that targets dog enthusiasts:
Memes range from the seemingly universally harmless to the off-the-chain inappropriate, but they have become a widespread source of humor in the 21st century, and one good thing about them is, there’s always new material to inspire new memes.
I know of a Slack community that has a channel simply entitled “Memes.” It’s a favorite among the members of the group. At any given moment, you can take a quick break, click on the Memes channel, and get a great laugh. Memes are a way to connect with others who share your interests of sense of humor. They are quick laugh-inducing visuals that are fun to share. How about this one for a bit of relatable irony?
The U.S. government climate is reaching a fever pitch of contention that will crescendo on and immediately after November 5th. We need all the stress-reducers we can get. The meme world has exploded with digs and guffaws recently! When we push ourselves away from the noise, and take a moment to laugh, it can help us to put things into proper perspective.
Finally, did you know that laughter also helps with learning? Psychology Today points out that laughing during learning increases your brain’s engagement with the material, which, in turn, helps with memory and retention. So, meme it up out there for some good ol’ belly laughs. Your lungs, immune system, emotional state, and sense of wellbeing will thank you.
The multi-faceted nature of Susan Powell’s professional background paints the picture of a lifetime learner who has always taken full control of her career path and decisions to apply her learning experiences in the most productive ways possible. Susan has brought her passion for writing and communications to every career upgrade and role, which helped her to secure the Marketing Director position for a cybersecurity company that she holds today. Fueled by her continued enthusiasm for earning applicable certifications, she continues to develop her marketing prowess and channel partner marketing skills. This former elementary teacher-turned-marketer is still a happy work-in-progress.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.