How Comedy Clubs Can Benefit Your Mental Health
While sometimes laughter is all fun and games, comedy clubs play an important role in society as a way to bring us closer together and help us relax in a stressful world. Anthropologists, psychologists, and other scientists see laughter as an enigma, a uniquely human trait that exists seemingly for no reason at all, yet is one of the most fundamental shared aspects between different people groups.
While there are many competing theories on the origins and ultimate purpose of laughter, one thing is immediately clear: laughter is good for our mental health. From physiological benefits and lowered stress to an increased sense of well-being, laughter can actually be viewed as a form of psycho-social exercise in which we can enhance and improve our quality of life. In this sense, stand-up shows and other performances at comedy clubs can be one of the best ways to take care of your mental health.
Top 10 Mental Health Benefits of Comedy Clubs
Making Connections
We live in an increasingly atomized, online, and digital world, which has created a social phenomenon of isolated shut-ins who withdraw from the world. It’s important to take proactive steps to keep yourself out there, make friends, and keep experiencing a shared human connection, even if it’s just for a night.
Lowered Stress
It’s a scientific fact that laughter lowers stress and therefore lowers your cortisol levels and other harmful stress indicators. Stress is a major factor worsening people’s mental health in the modern world, and intentionally choosing to go somewhere you will laugh is a smart way to counteract it.
Change Perspectives
One way to improve our mental health is simply to look at the world differently. Jokes can humorously tell a lot of truth, which can help us look at our problems, along with global and societal issues, differently and in a more positive, healthy way.
Great Dates
Whether you’re single, dating, or married, an improved relationship can have a dramatic effect on your mental health. Comedy clubs offer an excellent way to get to know your date better and form meaningful and lasting connections with someone you love. Even married couples should “date” once in a while to keep their relationship strong, and a night out at a comedy club can be a great date idea for them.
Lowered Blood Pressure
Interestingly, laughter can help our cardiovascular system function better, which is one reason it can be called a form of exercise. Lower blood pressure can help us feel better and more healthy, which can in turn lead to a lower mental load and a more relaxed mood.
Higher Self-Esteem
When you join a comedy club, you’ll likely have access to open mic nights or the chance to get on stage. This provides a unique and powerful way to improve how others view you and how you feel about yourself.
Stimulate the Mind
Sometimes, our mental health is plagued because of pure boredom. While this can make it difficult to get up and get moving, a comedy show can be an excellent way to relax and provide the stimulation you need to find your groove and motivation again.
Cathartic Release of Emotions
There’s a reason that people say, “Comedy is tragedy + time”. A lot of comedy is rooted in the darker aspects of life, and sometimes laughing about them and viewing them from a different angle can bring us a cathartic release of emotions that will leave you feeling lighter and happier afterward.
Improved Linguistic Skills
A lot of comedy is based on puns, clever wordplay, unexpected twists, or other mental exercises that can improve your own linguistic and comedic abilities. Laughter is the best way to put people at ease and get them to let their guard down, which will help you in all areas of life. From your home life to your professional life, you’ll find that improving your own linguistic and comedic abilities makes everything easier and will help you achieve your goals in life.
Know Yourself
When you know what you find funny, you will truly know your innermost, subconscious self. Comedy is, in a way, like a mirror that we can hold up to ourselves and peer deeply into. Make someone laugh, and you will know what makes them tick.
Knowing yourself better is one of the best ways to improve your mental health. Like a therapist who must know their patients before they can help them, you must first truly get to know yourself before you will see any improvements. Comedy clubs are an excellent way to delve deep inside your mind and figure out ways you can get in touch more with yourself.
Don’t forgo all of these massive mental health benefits of comedy clubs. Find one near you to join today and get started making connections, lowering stress, and plumbing the depths of your inner mind today!