Laughter is medicine for the soul But ...

Laughter is medicine for the soul and has many health benefits. It decreases stress and releases the endorphins that make you feel good. In other words laughter helps you lighten up, enjoy your life and enjoy your relationships.

But it is not true with all laughter. There is a mean spirited humor that has gone viral in our culture which poisons the soul. It is rampant on cartoons, TV shows, movies, and in our school and it finds a way into our homes.

• It is sarcastic and mocking
• Belittles and makes fun of someone else
• It is mean spirited and is a form of bullying

How Teenage Girls Use Mean Spirited Humor

1. Internet, Facebook, Texting

• Laughing at ugly pictures of 'friends'.
• Pretending to be someone else on Facebook (like a boy) with the intention of humiliating someone.
• Saying mean things to people over text and Facebook.
• Watching videos on YouTube to mock others.

2. School

• A group of girls/boys making fun of one girl/boy.
• Being a target of mean spirited humor and fighting back with mean spirited humor.

3. Home

• 'funny' stories that belittle and mock others at school

10 Guidelines for Positive Humor

1. Humor should be enjoyable for both of you

You only get the good benefits of laughter when both of you are laughing and enjoying it.

2. Never use humor that belittles another person

This is true even if you think you are being playful especially with your friend.

3. Make light of yourself

You can make light of yourself

4. Laugh at your pets

5. Avoid the sensitive issues

6. Teenagers love absurdity

You can get away with a lot when you use absurdity in your humor. Absurdity exaggerates something so far out of reality that it is absurd and it's not personal

7. Laugh at the simple things

Many great laughs come from the simple things of life.