It’s National Women’s Health Week, so this post is all about women and how humor can affect their health. Since I’m a woman (so is Kymberly, but she’s out of town, although I don’t believe leaving town changes her gender), I’m going to talk about myself since it’s my second-favorite topic (My #1 topic is somewhere near the end of this post. Guess ya gotta keep reading).
We were once asked (really? just once?) if we were aware our jokes are corny. And prior to an interview the other day we were sent this potential interview question: “Your writing style is quite casual and humorous. Do you feel this unique approach resonates with your readers? Are you ever concerned it could affect your credibility?”
My answers are “sort of”, “maybe” and “it depends”. Growing up as a red-headed, freckled, smart, four-eyes (this term I’ve never quite understood – how can my glasses have eyes?), nail-biting, socially unconfident, flat-chested twin (am I missing anything here?), it didn’t take me past the first nap of kindergarten to realize that humor was the only thing that could save me (and getting cleavage and contact lenses as a teen). Since research has shown that humor can help with:
- Bonding with friends and family
- Reinforcement of group identity and cohesiveness
- Increased friendliness and altruism
- Increased attractiveness to others
- Happier marriages and close relationships
I figure I’m okay with corny, since it makes us all cohesive, and that’s the sticky tape that holds us all together.
As to the casual, credibility question, I guess I think you don’t have to be serious to be taken seriously. After more than 25 years as fitness writers, speakers, presenters, teachers, mentors and even award-winners, we hope people will see value in what we write. Even if that doesn’t happen, we still made you healthier if you laughed at stuff like this:
Getting on My Chobani Face
Don't YOU miss the 90s?
Thong-tards & Reeboks
Yeah, I’m a Healthy Hottie! I’m going to live a long time. I’ve already achieved my dream – embarrassing the heck out of my teens just by existing (and talking about my 80s and 90s workout wear). And while I’m living longer, it will be with less stress, more relaxation, zapped up dopamine and endorphins, and less pain.
Okay, did any of you ever see the movie “The In-Laws” with Alan Arkin and Peter Falk? The year that movie came out I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled. When I was coming out of the anesthesia, I got off my recovery bed, wandered into the operating room, asked where the party was, then went outside and tried to re-enact the “serpentine” maneuver. It’s here for your reference:
I believe I was captured and returned to the recovery room by my mom, who laughed her ass off. Was it a humorous outlook that made my brain override the pain of the surgery? What else could it have been, hmm?
For the record, I was wearing regular clothes, not an open gown. That was probably best, since my re-enactment was in a public parking lot. Also for the record, my #1 favorite topic is Clive Owen. Or Colin Firth. Or my kids. Depends on a variety of hormonal factors; theirs and mine!
Humor also has cognitive and emotional benefits, which I interpret to mean that if I have writer’s block on a post such as this, I can just grin away and inspiration and creativity will come to me. Or I’ll just bite my nails for a while. Oh, even if you’re not feeling overly joyful, pasting a fake smile on actually tricks your brain, so you get some health benefits anyway. I’ll wait while you try it.
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Did it work?
This post is part of a bloggers’ challenge. If you want to participate, just write a post between May 13-19 about a women’s health issue that is meaningful to you, then click on the picture below to link it up. Please feel free to leave your link in our comment section below too!
And smile! Or frown and stand on your head. Either way you’ll get healthier! And you do know that exercise makes you happier, right?
What makes you laugh out loud? Smile quietly to yourself?
Hey Alexandra!
I enjoyed this post. I think being humorous is definitely a good thing, it breaks the ice and helps people feel comfortable.
Hmmm..trying to think what makes me laugh out loud? I think if it’s funny, I’ll laugh out loud and it can be just about anything.
I didn’t know about the blogger challenge. I’ll have to write something for this.
Keep laughing…it’s the best medicine and it’s free.
Yes, I love to laugh. And smile. Mostly when I’m near the mirror. What else ya going to do?
My favorite people in the world have the best sense of humor. My husband for instance…he drives me nuts some days, but it doesn’t matter how mad I am, he’ll toss out a joke that’ll change my mood instantly. Humor is incredibly important in life. Stress is terrible for our health, and humor (and that fake smile you mentioned) can absolutely help override stress.
PS: LOVE the thong-tards. LOL (I really did LOL.)
Yes, I made up the thong-tard word when I wrote the post. Unless some other genius beat me to it and I just didn’t know. I’m sure your hubby knows just when to bust out the jokes to get out of trouble. My 15 year old pulls that all the time. We told him once, “if you can make us laugh, you will probably not get in much trouble.”
Hilarious! I think that humor makes the world a better place, so you’ve definitely got the right idea.
I have to admit though, I had no idea that thong-tards was a word!
You guys are great!!!! I was a fat Jewish kid in areas with no Jews so I had to rely on humor too but not as good as yours!
Got to love the 80′s pic & I have way too many of those as well!
YES TO HUMOR!!!! It does really help to laugh & smile!!!!
Love it! You have a fabulous sense of humour; wacky, corny and irreverent. It must be the secret to your youthful face and figure!
Too bad you don’t have the ‘serpentine’ move on video; maybe we can re-enact it in Denver!
Yes, and I photoshop like crazy. haha, just kidding. I have no idea how to use Photoshop. My kids think I’m an idiot. So what, I don’t care. If I’ve passed on a love of smiles & laughs, I’ve done part of my mom job! Maybe I should do that serpentine move for my Dance Walk! Thinking, thinking.
Too funny, Alexandra! I think your humor is fun. Don’t change it!
Great post and 90′s workout pix! I believe healthy living and a sense of humor go hand-in-hand, like chocolate and peanut butter or Batman and Robin (you know, minus the weird sidecar Robin was stuck riding in). You’ve inspired me to write a post for Women’s Health Week which I’ll have up shortly – thanks!
This is the first time I’ve been by your blog, and I love you (both) already! Thanks for the morning smile! Sometimes, when I take my early morning walks, I smile goofily to myself (hoping nobody can see me, of course)… It really does make me feel better.
welcome to our wacky world Ms Fem Brianne! We love that you love us! Maybe throw in a random guffaw on that morning walk and really make the neighbors wonder what you know that they don’t. heh heh