Cheer up with a laugh at yourself

IF you want to feel happy, laugh at yourself, research suggests.

Psychologists studying different styles of humour said people who made self-deprecating jokes had better mental health and were more sociable. The findings go against the notion that self-deprecating humour makes us feel worse.

The researchers, from the University of Granada in Spain, carried out tests on more than 1,000 people. Lead author Jorge Torres-Marin said: ‘A greater tendency to employ self-deprecating humour is indicative of high scores in well-being dimensions such as happiness and, to a lesser extent, sociability.’

Other types of humour looked on positively included ‘adaptive’ styles – jokes aimed at making social relationships stronger, and self-enhancing humour, keeping a humorous view in adverse situations.

But it can also be used by dishonest types, the journal Personality and Individual Differences reports, saying: ‘Humour enables individuals with low scores in honesty to build trust and closeness with others to manipulate them.’