Yesterday while I was doing laundry, one of my neighbours and I started talking. He shared that he bartends in a club that has Stand Up Comedy performers and urged me to come and check it out. It got me thinking when I came home, how we all need a good laugh now and then. And how I produce them, to make myself feel better.

Life can be very tragic. And often, just like with the old Greek theatre masks, sometimes we might put up a face opposite from what we feel, like smiling when we’re sad. But sometimes, we can also have a hard time staying serious, when what we’re facing seems hilarious to us. I’ve learned that being transparent and authentic decreases the drama and real connections can instead forge; to let our face display what we truly feel. I’ve often been told that mine is like an open book. And while this might sound embarrassing to some, to me it’s a relief to not have to hide anything or having to put up an act among others, and therefore not be afraid that any skeletons would fall out of the closet.

So, to give myself a good laugh, I usually just turn to my own imagination. I imagine a scenario with whomever I’ve interacted with, or am about to, or through my own wishful thinking too of course. When these play out in my mind, I naturally start laughing. It lessens tension and lifts up my mood. It’s not like joy, that stems from within through an actual experience, but it still makes us feel better.

Which kind of entertainment do you take to, to relieve stress and get a good laugh?

Photo of masks borrowed from this site, where you also can read more about them.