Ever felt like you had too much to do and not enough time to do it? Ever said yes when you really wanted to say no? Ever wanted to delegate something to someone else but decided it was just easier to do it yourself? These were some of the top stressors I heard from women prior to the pandemic. These stressors haven’t gone away, but rather they’ve been piled upon with additional health concerns, social challenges and financial fears. Yikes! At a time where globally, women are reporting record-high-levels of stress, there’s never been a greater need to find ways to cope and build our resilience. Humor is one of the most powerful—and overlooked—strategies for women to empower themselves and manage their stress.
As a neurohumorist, for over three decades I’ve studied the interactions between humor and the brain, and the implications for influence and well-being. I’m elated at this opportunity to be your guest editor for National Stress Awareness Month (even though you don’t need anyone raising your awareness of stress!), as well as National Humor Month (yes, there really is such a thing). Coincidence? I think not.
In good humor and good health,
Karyn Buxman
Guest Editor
