Confucius Says...

"Humor is an almost physiological response to fear."

Fear is a paralyzing sensation that can overwhelm an individual at any given moment. In most situations, fear is difficult to cope with, as it often results in stress and anxiety. One such way that an individual can deal with fear and stress is through laughter and humour.

Laughter is a medication that is pleasent, free, and easy to use. A good laugh is the quickest and most dependable way of restoring balance back into the life of an individual. Laughter is often associated with humour, which allows one to view a situation from a less arduous perspective. Humour also helps an individual remain optimistic in an emotionally demanding situation.

In Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim is a character who laughs through adversity. Perhaps the most frightening moment in Billy's pre-determined life is when he gets assaulted by Ronald Weary, yet he laughs through the entire incident (51). Billy never lets stress or anxiety get the better of him, and laughter both dissolves distressful emotions, like anxiety, and allows one to relax, reducing stress.

-Arshdeep