The Covid-19 pandemic placed immense mental strain on people globally, both in the short and long term. Social distancing, repeated lockdowns, and the shift to remote work and home-schooling created new challenges for our mental well-being. During these times, humor emerged as a powerful coping strategy, providing much-needed relief and positively impacting our mental health.A recent study explored how humor was used in professional WhatsApp communications among colleagues in a consultancy organization in Gauteng, South Africa, during the hard lockdown of March and April 2020. Using a qualitative research design, the study found that humor helped these professionals cope with the difficulties of remote work.
Five main themes of humor emerged:
- Women professionals and work-life challenges
- Individual transformation from professional to “savage”
- Adaptation to new lifestyles
- Marital relationships during social isolation
- Jokes about the cure for Covid-19
These themes highlight how humor was used to deal with blurred work-life boundaries, changing family dynamics, and the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of humor as a tool for managing stress and maintaining morale during difficult times.
The study suggests that organizations can benefit from creating an environment where humor is embraced, helping employees navigate challenges with resilience and positivity. Future research could explore humor’s role in other digital communication channels or examine similar experiences across different cultural contexts.
Remember: In times of uncertainty, a good laugh can be more powerful than you think!
Access publication here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-52288-8