The Giddy Key to Preventing Burnout: The Healing Power of Laughter
Published 1 December 2024
(In Ep #0 of the Professionall Pathways Podcast | Cal’s Journey into Teacher Education)
“One self-care habit that I practice to avoid burnout is laughing every single day. I’m a very humorous person. I like to laugh. I like telling jokes. I like being goofy and silly and especially when I’m having a really tough day, I will watch fail compilations on YouTube or silly dog videos. Those kinds of things help me connect back to the laughter and the joy, and remember that everything is not the end of the world. The problems we’re facing right now are only facing us right now. Even in the darkest moments, we can find laughter and joy. Part of the beauty of laughter is that it is healing, and that when we’re really struggling, I think laughter is really good medicine. I think taking the time to laugh and feel that joy is a fantastic way to avoid burnout.”
Burnout is a pervasive challenge in high-stress professions, and education is no exception. Long hours, emotional labor, and the pressure to meet diverse student needs can leave even the most dedicated educators feeling drained. While strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and setting boundaries are often touted as solutions, one simple but often overlooked tool for resilience is laughter.
Laughter has been described as “medicine for the soul,” and science backs this up. When we laugh, our brains release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being (Scott et al., 2020). Laughter also lowers cortisol levels, improves heart health, and even boosts immune function (Martin, 2002). For teachers, cultivating humor in daily life and the classroom can not only mitigate burnout but also create a more joyful, engaging environment for students.
Why Laughter Matters for Burnout Prevention
Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). Laughter offers a way to counter these symptoms by fostering a sense of connection and reducing tension.
In stressful moments, humor acts as a reset button. It reminds us that life’s challenges, while significant, are often not insurmountable. This perspective shift is particularly valuable for educators, who frequently face high-stakes situations but must maintain composure and optimism.
Additionally, laughter can strengthen relationships. Sharing a laugh with colleagues can build camaraderie, making workplace stressors feel more manageable. A lighthearted staffroom chat or a funny story shared during a meeting can improve team morale and create a supportive professional culture.
Humor in the Classroom
For educators, humor isn’t just self-care; it’s also an instructional tool. Studies show that humor enhances student engagement, retention of information, and classroom climate (Banas et al., 2011). Teachers who use humor effectively–—whether through funny anecdotes, lighthearted commentary, or playful activities—–report feeling more connected to their students, which can reignite passion for the profession.
That said, humor should always be inclusive and respectful. It’s not about making jokes at someone else’s expense but finding ways to share joy and positivity.
Five Practical Tips for Adding More Laughter to Your Life
Start Your Day with a Laugh: Incorporate humor into your morning routine. Watch a funny video, read a comic strip, or listen to a humorous podcast while commuting.
Bring Humor Into the Classroom: Share lighthearted stories or playful examples during lessons. A moment of laughter can make even the toughest topics feel approachable.
Schedule Laughter Breaks: Just as you schedule time for meetings or lesson planning, carve out time for laughter. Take a 5-minute break to watch a funny clip or chat with a colleague about something amusing.
Use Humor to Reframe Stress: When faced with a challenging situation, try to find the lighter side. Turn setbacks into anecdotes that you can share later.
Laugh with Your Students: Encourage students to find humor in learning. Whether it’s through playful debates, silly examples, or funny errors, shared laughter can make lessons memorable.
Conclusion
Laughter is more than a momentary escape—–it’s a powerful tool for resilience. By incorporating humor into our daily lives and classrooms, we can foster a culture of joy that helps us navigate the challenges of teaching. In the face of stress and burnout, laughter reminds us of our shared humanity and the simple joys that keep us grounded.
Discussion Question
How can you use humor to create a positive atmosphere in your classroom?
Related Posts
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Banas, J. A., Dunbar, N., Rodriguez, D., & Liu, S.-J. (2011). A review of humor in educational settings: Four decades of research. Communication Education, 60(1), 115–144. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03634523.2010.496867
Martin, R. A. (2002). Is laughter the best medicine? Humor, laughter, and physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(6), 216–220. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8721.00204
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4911781/
