Topic Tuesday *closed* Laughter 4 Mental health. This will make you chuckle...

Haaaaiii everyone!

This month's Topic Tuesday, I'm so pleased to welcome our spealist guest, @DanielTobias . I hope we're all ready to have our funny bones tickled.

First off, @DanielTobias I understand that you've just premiered your solo show, The Orchid and the Crow. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Hey Everyone

Ok. So in a nutshell (pardon the pun) [I know it's bad]... I went throught treatment for testicular cancer 11 years ago when I was 29.

Apart from the support of my family and friends the biggest help for me was hearing other people's stories - in particular Lance Armstrong's story.

I promised myself that one day I would share my experiences and 'pay it forward' to anyone who found it valuable.

So here we are.

so here's a big question:

How did you make light of a serious situation like that? Did you find yourself doing it at the time while you were unwell or wait until after with the gift of insight?

I wonder if any of our members use humour when they're going through tough times @Crazy_Bug_Lady @Loopy @kenny66 @Keith1292 @kato @PeppiPatty @Alessandra1992 - I know you like to have a laugh is this something you can relate to?

I guess it's in my nature to always find the funny side of everything. I guess it's a coping mechanism.

When in the hospital, I was first told that I was going to have to have an orchidectomy (a ball removed), my Dad was in the next room. I called out to him and said, "Dad. They wanna take away one of my boys!"

I know that's a pretty weird thing to say, but how are you supposed to tell your Dad that the doctors want to surgically remove a testicle?

Ha! How do you find other people respond? Do they get awkard - and if so, how do you manage that?

@Flame7au

I thought given your current work situation, that humour could be a good strategy to take away some of the tension, and make light of what is often a very difficult situation?

Could you maybe give Daniel a quick over view of what's been happening?

Id like to hear others experiences of using humour at work?

I'm sure you've heard all the jokes then Daniel, there's lots of jokes about, 'boys' so to speak, hee hee.

Often making a joke about something that is awkward is the best way to deal with it. I'd rather be laughing than feeling awkward.

It's true that sometimes people are surprised by a joke in a tense situation, but most times they are relieved that you're ok with it.

The danger in humor that hides awkwardness is that sometimes it's hiding the truth. So sometims it can get in the way of good communication.

I think you're right. I've heard them all. 🙂