The Delicate Art of Laughing at Ourselves

Research suggests that laughing at ourselves can boost mental health and social connections, but it’s nuanced: some people (gelotophobes) fear laughter and may suffer in relationships, while others (gelotophiles) and playful humor styles can enhance bonding; self-defeating humor can be adaptive if mixed with other humor types, and cultivating a lighter, self-aware attitude through practice can improve resilience and warmth in social settings.