Shortly before Christmas, Prof Andrea Samson, Associate Professor at UniDistance Suisse and humour researcher, gave an interview on “Humour at Christmas”, which was published in the Tages-Anzeiger. In the interview, she explains why humour and laughter play an important role in our well-being.

Humour as a resource during the festive season 

The Christmas period is often associated with high expectations and increased stress. According to Prof. Dr. Samson, laughter can help to reduce tension, promote positive emotions and encourage a more relaxed approach to challenging situations. 

Shared laughter also strengthens social bonds and creates a sense of closeness – a key factor for emotional well-being, particularly within families during the festive season. Humour allows us to put expectations into perspective and to accept imperfections with greater ease. 

 

Why laughter matters beyond the holidays 

In the interview, Prof. Dr. Samson explains why humour is especially important at this time of year and how laughter can contribute to greater happiness not only during the festive period, but also in everyday life.
 

Related to this topic, a radio interview on humour with Prof Andrea Samson was broadcast on RTS (available in French only): 
 

 

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