Memes, in particular, might be a surprisingly good way to lift our spirits. A 2021 study involving 748 people found that participants who looked at memes reported more positive emotions than those who viewed other types of online content.
The researchers were studying how people coped during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that memes also helped participants feel more confident about handling the situation. And they only had to look at three memes to see these benefits!
So, the next time you find yourself laughing at a completely random meme, enjoy it without feeling guilty about wasting a few minutes. Life will always have its serious moments, and there will probably be plenty of things demanding your attention tomorrow.
In the meantime, there’s nothing wrong with letting your inner child have a little fun. After all, growing up shouldn’t mean forgetting how to laugh at something wonderfully silly.
