Adulthood is filled with all sorts of problems. Many of us are either exhausted, broke, overwhelmed, or just barely holding it together - or maybe all of the above. But as you may have come to realize, there's a meme for that, that, that, and that. They're free, they're funny, and they provide temporary relief from constant chaos.
In fact, some research suggests that memes can be a coping strategy for those suffering from anxiety. We saw this play out during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. People were locked in doors, anxious, and turning to social media a lot more than usual, with funny memes taking center stage.
"One study found that viewing memes was related to higher levels of reported humor and more positive emotions. Viewing memes, as opposed to viewing other online content, indirectly increased coping efficacy through a pathway of engendering more positive emotions," reports Psychology Today. "Viewing memes about COVID-19 was also related to deeper information processing and lower levels of pandemic-related stress."
The researchers found that directly addressing the thing that's stressing you through funny memes can be good for your emotional state.
Memes also remind us that we're all in this together.
"When you interact with these memes on social media, you’re joining a community of people who relate to similar experiences," explain the mental health experts at FHE Health. "This online interaction often serves as an informal support network."
Scrolling through this listicle and finding memes that resonate with you can help you feel less alone and provide a sense of belonging.
The FHE Health team says that there are a few reasons why humor, or laughter, is an effective coping strategy when life gets you down.
"Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of happiness and well-being," they explain. "This, in turn, lowers stress hormones, allowing relaxation."
Another reason is that sharing a joke with other people creates a sense of closeness, brings people together, and helps break down social barriers. Laughing in the face of a challenging situation can also provide a new perspective, they say, making it feel more manageable and less intimidating.
In his paper titled Look at Us, We Have Anxiety: Youth, Memes, and the Power of Online Cultural Politics, Julian Burton noted that many young people considered their social media communities as safe spaces.
"Users saw their digital communities as spaces where they could be their authentic selves, unlike other physical spaces where they might be judged for being who they are," reported Psychology Today. "The ability to create for themselves and each other served as the foundation for a safe community."
While some may brush off memes as frivolous jokes, for many others, they're a lot more meaningful.
“As one teenaged Tumblr user I interviewed explained, in a world that sometimes seems specifically orchestrated to put young people under unmanageable pressure yet continues to treat mental health issues as shameful, the most radical response is for young people to speak openly about the issues they face,” wrote Burton.
