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Why Humor Is an Essential Life SkillMark Twain said that “Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place. ” He’s certainly not wrong. Humor may very well be the great thing. It touches upon nearly every facet of life-90% of men and 81% of women report that a sense of humor is the most important quality in a partner, a crucial quality for leaders, and even an effective treatment for cancer. There’s no doubt that humor is a life skill that everybody needs. But how do we define humor?There are three main theories on what humor is and where it comes from. Relief theory argues that humor is a way to release nervous energy, blowing off psychological steam. That’s why jokes told at funerals are often met not with the silence that a somber occasion like that would merit but with extremely loud laughter instead. Superiority theory was originally formulated to explain a specific kind of humor: Why we laugh at others’ misfortunes. In this theory, humor is a means of declaring one’s superiority over others. If you’re looking to cultivate a sense of humor to improve your leadership skills, this is not the kind you want to acquire. Incongruity theory(不协调理论)argues that humor arises when two contrasting, distinct ideas are mingled, often reversing expectations. Consider Oscar Wilde’s “Work is the curse of the drinking classes”—it’s funny because it reverses not only a common phrase but also amore conventional way of looking at the world. Then what are the benefits of humor? Being funny is possibly one of the best things you can do for your health. You can almost think of a sense of humor as your mind‘s immune system. People at risk for depression tend to fall into depressing episodes when exposed to some kind of negative stimuli, and afterwards, it becomes easier and easier for them to go back into depression. However viewing a negative event in a humorous light acts as a kind of emotional filter, preventing the negative mood from triggering a depressing episode. Humor doesn’t just guard against depression. It also improves people’s overall quality of life. Researchers have found that people who score high in certain types of humor have greater self-esteem,stronger self-competence, more control over anxiety, and better performance in social interactions. You may wonder whether you are able to create humor. Humor is a trait that is both innate and learnable. There’s no such thing as a completely humorless individual—humor is a fundamental part of human nature. In the past, we believed that only some cultures developed humor, but this belief has changed, as no culture has ever been found to be devoid of laughter and comedy. Humor is also something you can learn. So, if you want to improve your sense of humor, try to look on the funny side of life, and the worst thing that can happen to you is a laugh or two in your life.
Getting Back in Shape—One Step at a TimeThe worst of the epidemic appears to be over, and a summer of increasing freedom lies ahead. But what if our summer clothes no longer fit? The past months of disrupted routines and near-constant stress and anxiety drove many to seek comfort in food, which means many of us have gained weight. Dietitian and author Paula Mee is worried that this will make us easy targets for companies peddling diet and weight-loss products. Thus, she suggests a more mindful approach based on establishing healthier habits: accepting that it was normal to gain weight during lockdown, examining your lifestyle factors that lead to weight gaining, and stocking up your fridge with healthier snacks. The first step is to accept that it was natural and normal to turn to food for solace. ‘Lockdown brought physical and mental challenges,” says Mee. “People had to give up the gym and sports, and many reported not sleeping well. The uncertainty meant people spent more time in the kitchen, nibbling and snacking. Food was something they felt they could enjoy safely, and it offered consolation and distraction for many. ” This could explain why so many gained weight. A systematic review examining the impact of the lockdown on the bodyweight of 59,711 people from 32 countries found that up to 72% had put on weight. ____________________ The third step is to stock up your fridge with healthy snacks. A study surveyed 120,000 healthy men and women over the course of 20 years. “It determined that weight gain was most strongly associated with the intake of crisps, potatoes without skins, sugar-sweetened beverages, and processed and unprocessed red meats,” says Mee. “The foods associated with weight loss were fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, and yogurts. ” Ultra-processed foods are high in salt, fat, sugar, and calories but low in nutrition. They trigger the brain’s reward pathways and cause cravings for more. So, you’d better have less-processed snacks at hand, like nuts, hard-boiled eggs, or natural yogurts with some chopped fruits. “What I tell my clients is to take steps to accept the situation, look at their lifestyle, while making small changes over time to improve the quality of the food they eat. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do know those are habits that make for healthier lives,” says Mee. 
What Are Travel Coaches, and Should You Hire One?When Vera Russo decided to visit Italy this summer, she didn't go online to book a plane ticket or call a travel agent. Instead,like a growing number of Americans,she contacted Francesca Owens, a travel coach, for help. Owens, who lived in Italy for about 15 years, plans ltalian trips for women 50 and over.Travel coaches are gaining in popularity now that interest in travel is again on the rise.There is no reliable data on the number of travel coaches, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it's a growing field.But what is a travel coach, and should you consider hiring one?Most travel coaches are experienced travelers who want to share the knowledge they've gained on the road. They aren't travel agents and typically don't make a booking for you.Instead, they are closer to life coaches,who offer advice and guidance.But instead of trying to improve the quality of your life, a travel coach works on upgrading your vacation byre commending a travel plan that matches your goals.“Travel coaches help people set intentions for their trips," says Sahara De Vore, founder of the Travel Coach Network,which accredits travel coaches. "When you can identify the'why'for your trip, you can better decide where to go.You can also decide when to go, who to go with, how long to go for and what you need to do during your trip. That will help you gain the outcome,transformations and experiences you desire.”A travel coach can help you select the right destination and plan every aspect of your trip.Betsy Ball, co-founder of Euro Travel Coach,says she tries to eliminate the trouble of trip planning, so her clients can focus on what matters: the food, wine, culture, history and people of Europe.Some travel coaches develop areas of expertise that you probably won't find elsewhere.For example, Allie Bahn coaches people who travel with food allergies.Bahn draws on her experiences of growing up with food allergies and living in Italy for three years. Bahn says,“Many people haven't traveled abroad before and are worried about eating safely in other countries.”So how do you find a travel coach? De Vore's site lists people who have completed her travel coaching program. Asking a well-traveled friend for a recommendation or searching online for"travel coach”may be just as effective, although experts say a recommendation alone isn 't enough; you should ensure that your travel coach intimately knows your destination.Other than that,the strategies for hiring a travel coach include asking for references,conducting a detailed interview and watching for red flags, such as exaggerated claims or alack of experience.A good travel coach knows their clients'vacation goals and interests and is able to create a travel plan tailored for the individuals or group. If you think where you go is more important than how you get there, maybe you need a travel coach.
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