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The Humor Habit: Rewire Your Brain to Stress Less, Laugh More, and Achieve More'er
Discover and embrace the untapped power of your sense of humor In The Humor Rewire Your Brain to Stress Less, Laugh More, and Achieve More’er, veteran speaker, corporate trainer, and comedian Paul Osincup delivers a hilarious and effective new take on how to make yourself and your team more productive and resilient by focusing on the funny side of work and life. In the book, you’ll learn why humor isn’t an in-born quality you’re either born with or without. Instead, it’s a habit you can develop over time. You’ll find 100 ways to have more fun at work, methods to improve your resilience in dealing with adversity, and an explanation of the author’s “LAFTER” model that shows you how to leverage levity at work. You’ll also Perfect for managers, executives, team leads, directors, and other business leaders, The Humor Habit is the practical, hands-on guide to improved productivity that’s actually fun to read―and even more fun to implement.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 23, 2024
27 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 12, 2025
As a clinical social worker, I will be recommending this book to some of my patients. I discussed it with one of my patients, and she went from severely depressed to telling me that she had started watching comedies, and she was out weeding and doing stuff around the house and feeling very much better.This patient had had a major loss in her life in the last year one that I don’t know how most people would survive it and she was finally seeing life by stopping watching negative news and focusing on comedy.
In my own life, I had noticed that I had fallen into a funk since around November 2024. I have been focusing on all the news and going on social media a lot and when I started reading this book, I’ve decreased my social media exposure therefore seeing less of the negative news and have begun focusing on watching comedies, and it has drastically improved my personal quality of life, I have found myself becoming more active And being more positive. I think it’s a great book.
With all that said, I do know that major depressive disorder sometimes requires medication for people and I’m not saying that this book is an end all be all but I do think that it can greatly benefit anyone who is feeling like they’re in a funk or feeling a bit down and depressed Just so you know I did this with talk to text so if there’s some sort of error, I am not able to check it now as I am getting ready to go put my family to bed. Please don’t correct my grammar. Siri doesn’t always understand me.
In my own life, I had noticed that I had fallen into a funk since around November 2024. I have been focusing on all the news and going on social media a lot and when I started reading this book, I’ve decreased my social media exposure therefore seeing less of the negative news and have begun focusing on watching comedies, and it has drastically improved my personal quality of life, I have found myself becoming more active And being more positive. I think it’s a great book.
With all that said, I do know that major depressive disorder sometimes requires medication for people and I’m not saying that this book is an end all be all but I do think that it can greatly benefit anyone who is feeling like they’re in a funk or feeling a bit down and depressed Just so you know I did this with talk to text so if there’s some sort of error, I am not able to check it now as I am getting ready to go put my family to bed. Please don’t correct my grammar. Siri doesn’t always understand me.
November 15, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is packed with ways add more humor to your life and workplace. While delivering good information, the author also keeps you laughing and engaged the whole time. As a person who is struggles with chronic seriousness it is so helpful to have ways to keep things light in life.
January 6, 2025
As someone who has struggled with chronic seriousness for a long time, this book helped me to see humor as a genuine and effective coping mechanism. The Humor Habit touches on humor in the work place and in personal life which I thought covered a great spectrum of our daily lives. This book truly can be used by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
August 28, 2024
More stars needed!
July 1, 2024
In "The Humor Habit: Rewire Your Brain to Stress Less, Laugh More, and Achieve More," Paul Osincup highlights the transformative power of humor in enhancing mental health, improving resilience, and fostering a joyful existence. Osincup argues that humor is not merely a talent but a skill that can be cultivated through deliberate practice. Drawing on principles of improv comedy, mindful consumption of humorous content, and cognitive techniques to reframe stressful situations, he outlines practical strategies to integrate humor into daily life.
A key aspect of cultivating a humorous mindset is learning to stay present. This involves focusing on the current moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, much like improv actors who must concentrate on the unfolding scene to succeed. Truly listening to others is also crucial, as it opens up opportunities for meaningful and humorous interactions. Osincup encourages readers to reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth, turning challenges into gifts. Embracing the "Yes, and..." principle from improv, which involves building on others' ideas, can foster greater creativity and collaboration in both personal and professional settings.
Consciously consuming humor is another strategy Osincup recommends. He suggests curating a feed of humorous content, following funny pages, shows, and people to bring more laughter into daily life. Sharing funny moments with a friend or coworker regularly can significantly reduce stress. Short breaks to watch funny videos can also boost productivity, as studies have shown that people are more productive after consuming comedy. It's important to balance screen time with humor from other sources like podcasts, books, and magazines to avoid overreliance on digital media.
Training your brain to find humor in everyday life can have a profound impact on well-being. Osincup suggests keeping a daily log of three amusing things to shift focus to the lighter side of life. Creating a humor jar to collect and revisit funny memories can help savor fun moments. Reframing stressful past situations with the "What I Could’ve Said" game allows for a humorous perspective on difficulties, reducing their negative emotional impact. This practice not only helps individuals see the humor in challenging situations but also enhances their overall outlook on life.
Humor can also be a powerful tool for dealing with pain. Osincup explains that humor offers cognitive distance from painful experiences, as our brains can't process humor and distress simultaneously. Techniques like exaggeration, comparisons, puns, and wordplay can help reframe difficulties in a humorous light. Sharing these humorous reframing strategies with friends can provide relief and deepen social connections. Gradually applying these techniques from minor annoyances to more significant issues can help individuals regain control over their narratives and build resilience.
Incorporating humor into daily life can transform personal well-being and professional environments. Osincup emphasizes that humor is not just about gags and jokes; it’s about seeing the lighter side of life and navigating challenges more effectively. By developing a humor habit, individuals can enhance their resilience, improve relationships, and foster a more positive mindset. This consistent practice of humor can produce a ripple effect, improving not only one's happiness but also the well-being of those around them. Embracing humor allows for deeper connections, diffusing tension, and creating a more joyful existence, one humorous moment at a time.
A key aspect of cultivating a humorous mindset is learning to stay present. This involves focusing on the current moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, much like improv actors who must concentrate on the unfolding scene to succeed. Truly listening to others is also crucial, as it opens up opportunities for meaningful and humorous interactions. Osincup encourages readers to reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth, turning challenges into gifts. Embracing the "Yes, and..." principle from improv, which involves building on others' ideas, can foster greater creativity and collaboration in both personal and professional settings.
Consciously consuming humor is another strategy Osincup recommends. He suggests curating a feed of humorous content, following funny pages, shows, and people to bring more laughter into daily life. Sharing funny moments with a friend or coworker regularly can significantly reduce stress. Short breaks to watch funny videos can also boost productivity, as studies have shown that people are more productive after consuming comedy. It's important to balance screen time with humor from other sources like podcasts, books, and magazines to avoid overreliance on digital media.
Training your brain to find humor in everyday life can have a profound impact on well-being. Osincup suggests keeping a daily log of three amusing things to shift focus to the lighter side of life. Creating a humor jar to collect and revisit funny memories can help savor fun moments. Reframing stressful past situations with the "What I Could’ve Said" game allows for a humorous perspective on difficulties, reducing their negative emotional impact. This practice not only helps individuals see the humor in challenging situations but also enhances their overall outlook on life.
Humor can also be a powerful tool for dealing with pain. Osincup explains that humor offers cognitive distance from painful experiences, as our brains can't process humor and distress simultaneously. Techniques like exaggeration, comparisons, puns, and wordplay can help reframe difficulties in a humorous light. Sharing these humorous reframing strategies with friends can provide relief and deepen social connections. Gradually applying these techniques from minor annoyances to more significant issues can help individuals regain control over their narratives and build resilience.
Incorporating humor into daily life can transform personal well-being and professional environments. Osincup emphasizes that humor is not just about gags and jokes; it’s about seeing the lighter side of life and navigating challenges more effectively. By developing a humor habit, individuals can enhance their resilience, improve relationships, and foster a more positive mindset. This consistent practice of humor can produce a ripple effect, improving not only one's happiness but also the well-being of those around them. Embracing humor allows for deeper connections, diffusing tension, and creating a more joyful existence, one humorous moment at a time.
February 13, 2025
I fully enjoyed the book and tricks to instill humor into my life. Some of the practice/homework seemed out of place for me but I tried them anyways. I can already see a change in my mood and laughs from colleagues!
Currently reading
July 1, 2024Can't say no to a WILEY book. First things first: humor is less a talent and more a habit developed through deliberate actions.
Notes:
- In the same way traveling to a foreign country to learn a new language can radically reconfigure your perspective, so too can integrating humor into your daily routine. By actively seeking out humor, sharing funny moments, and reframing stressful situations with a comedic twist, you can build your resilience and create a more joyful existence.
- A central improv principle is presence.
- Improv also teaches us to notice gifts. In the improv world, nothing is considered a mistake; everything is a gift.
- Equally integral to improv is the “Yes, and …” principle, which involves accepting and building on the choices of others. As adults, we have a tendency to rationalize, which triggers a “Yes, but ...” or “No” response.
- Never before in human history have we been this constantly bombarded with stress and trauma.
- As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop laughing because we get old. We get old because we stop laughing.”
Action points:
- A good place to start might be the “Three Funny Things” challenge. Each day, write down three things that you found amusing.
- Try savoring. You can increase your well-being by relishing fun moments as they happen, anticipating fun moments to come, or reminiscing about fun moments of the past. To make this tangible, you can create a humor jar. (I do this now but for gratitude)
- The template “I was so abc that I xyz” can help you warm up your exaggeration muscles. For example, "My makeup was in such a state after crying in the office bathroom that I came out looking like I'd been kicked out of a karaoke bar at 3:00 a.m."
- You can also play the “Unfortunately/Fortunately” game to reframe hardships. To do this, think of your “unfortunately” situation and follow it with a humorous “fortunately” statement. A low-bar example might be, “Unfortunately, I have to work late. Fortunately, I get to avoid rush hour traffic!”
Notes:
- In the same way traveling to a foreign country to learn a new language can radically reconfigure your perspective, so too can integrating humor into your daily routine. By actively seeking out humor, sharing funny moments, and reframing stressful situations with a comedic twist, you can build your resilience and create a more joyful existence.
- A central improv principle is presence.
- Improv also teaches us to notice gifts. In the improv world, nothing is considered a mistake; everything is a gift.
- Equally integral to improv is the “Yes, and …” principle, which involves accepting and building on the choices of others. As adults, we have a tendency to rationalize, which triggers a “Yes, but ...” or “No” response.
- Never before in human history have we been this constantly bombarded with stress and trauma.
- As George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop laughing because we get old. We get old because we stop laughing.”
Action points:
- A good place to start might be the “Three Funny Things” challenge. Each day, write down three things that you found amusing.
- Try savoring. You can increase your well-being by relishing fun moments as they happen, anticipating fun moments to come, or reminiscing about fun moments of the past. To make this tangible, you can create a humor jar. (I do this now but for gratitude)
- The template “I was so abc that I xyz” can help you warm up your exaggeration muscles. For example, "My makeup was in such a state after crying in the office bathroom that I came out looking like I'd been kicked out of a karaoke bar at 3:00 a.m."
- You can also play the “Unfortunately/Fortunately” game to reframe hardships. To do this, think of your “unfortunately” situation and follow it with a humorous “fortunately” statement. A low-bar example might be, “Unfortunately, I have to work late. Fortunately, I get to avoid rush hour traffic!”
June 25, 2024
Such a fun and unique book. Loved Paul’s strategies to implement and improve humor in daily life. This book offers very helpful and attainable ideas to overcome the seriousness of adulthood. Paul’s writing is funny and heartfelt. There are not many books I will pick up over and over but this will be one of them.
December 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this look at how humor helps and can be used in so many different settings. Really love the dad jokes.😂 recommend this book if you run a business, are looking to go into business, or looking at a way to help cope with the day-to-day
October 21, 2024
This is a sweet book with guidelines about how and when to best use humor, as well as lots of prompts to add a little bit of humor to your life.
December 23, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version and thought it was very enjoyable and increased the LOL moments! I am already using some of the authors tips in my workplace to help improve culture!
January 11, 2025
Short and entertaining - well done.
July 1, 2024
The Humour Habit by Paul Osinkup, you've learned that Incorporating humour into daily life can transform personal wellbeing and professional environments for the better. By developing a habit of finding and using humour, you can enhance your resilience, improve relationships and foster a more positive mindset. Humour isn't just about gags and jokes. It's about seeing the lighter side of life and navigating challenges more effectively.
Embracing humour allows you to connect more deeply with others, diffuse tension and cultivate a more joyful existence. As humour becomes a habitual part of your life, it produces a ripple effect, improving not only your own happiness but the wellbeing of those around you. Remember, a smile or a laugh can change the course of a day, making the world a brighter place, one humorous moment at a time.
Embracing humour allows you to connect more deeply with others, diffuse tension and cultivate a more joyful existence. As humour becomes a habitual part of your life, it produces a ripple effect, improving not only your own happiness but the wellbeing of those around you. Remember, a smile or a laugh can change the course of a day, making the world a brighter place, one humorous moment at a time.
July 1, 2024
Summary:
Incorporating humour into daily life can transform personal wellbeing and professional environments for the better. By developing a habit of finding and using humour, you can enhance your resilience, improve relationships and foster a more positive mindset. Humour isn't just about gags and jokes. It's about seeing the lighter side of life and navigating challenges more effectively. Embracing humour allows you to connect more deeply with others, diffuse tension and cultivate a more joyful existence. As humour becomes a habitual part of your life, it produces a ripple effect, improving not only your own happiness but the wellbeing of those around you. Remember, a smile or a laugh can change the course of a day, making the world a brighter place, one humorous moment at a time.
Incorporating humour into daily life can transform personal wellbeing and professional environments for the better. By developing a habit of finding and using humour, you can enhance your resilience, improve relationships and foster a more positive mindset. Humour isn't just about gags and jokes. It's about seeing the lighter side of life and navigating challenges more effectively. Embracing humour allows you to connect more deeply with others, diffuse tension and cultivate a more joyful existence. As humour becomes a habitual part of your life, it produces a ripple effect, improving not only your own happiness but the wellbeing of those around you. Remember, a smile or a laugh can change the course of a day, making the world a brighter place, one humorous moment at a time.
September 22, 2024
I don’t read a lot of nonfiction but this book really pulled me in. This book is the perfect blend of fun and fact, humor and research. The author writes in an accessible conversational tone that the reader can immediately relate to. He gives examples from pop culture and media that are universal, but then he follows that up with hard science and research. Honestly, I was having such a fun time reading the book that I didn’t realize I was learning a bunch of positive tools along the way. I’m not a big fan of academic books or self-help fluff, and this book was neither. It’s just fun and useful and I wish more books took this approach.
May 10, 2024
“Humor. It is a difficult concept.” --Lt. Saavik
This was fun. I think the problem lies in getting the bosses who need to read it to actually do so. Everyone thinks they have a great sense of humor, even-- and perhaps especially-- that sourpuss who hasn’t cracked a smile in 15 years.
See if your library has this book, then place a hold for it under the name of the person at your workplace who needs it the most. Worth a shot.
August 14, 2025
Stumbled upon this book in a local bookstore in Bozeman last year. I’m the world’s slowest reader (seriously I could give Flash in Zootopia a run for his money) but I genuinely enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed the later couple of chapters where it provided “recipes” for humor, I also thought the overall reminder of slowing down and finding the humor in things to be very important. Overall this is a solid read, but may not be for everyone.
I really enjoyed the later couple of chapters where it provided “recipes” for humor, I also thought the overall reminder of slowing down and finding the humor in things to be very important. Overall this is a solid read, but may not be for everyone.
July 29, 2024
Author laments that the wide majority of people become super serious once they enter the work world and stay that way well into their 70s. He emphasizes humor is a habit and a muscle we can all strengthen with effort for the good of those around us and our own selves. He gives several examples of how he uses humor in his life and ideas on how we can too.
June 3, 2025
Mom sent me this book so I breezed through it. Good reminders for work, sure. Keep being funny, will do. The writer seems like a good dude. Just don’t know if I’d call him a writer in the sense of writing a written book…
Wouldn’t recommend reading unless you get it in the mail from your mom.
Wouldn’t recommend reading unless you get it in the mail from your mom.
August 20, 2024
Seemed a little reductionist to me
October 16, 2024
Audible see notes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
3.5 stars. I heard the author speak and it was a 10 star performance. I had a harder time getting into his book. Maybe it would be more enjoyable on audio?
January 10, 2025
Great read and an amazing way to unwind and think about your day while reading. I have caught myself using newly learned habits from the book. Needed more than I thought I did!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews