What do therapists think of memes?

Laughter is the best medicine, emotionally. We all know that; it’s a saying that goes back, with some even saying a version of it can be found in the bible. Laughing isn’t going to cure cancer, but having a stress-positive attitude has proven to help. Being joyful and laughing helps encourage the production of natural chemicals in the body that help you with whatever you are trying to cure. So, why wouldn’t memes be a helpful medical tool in that sense? Even therapists can see benefits in the use of memes! It’s a fine balance, because you don’t want to get stuck in the unhealthy doomscroll of it all, but encouraging LOLs is healthy. 

Some therapists have said memes are an important «social currency,» and that is important for human connection. Loneliness can very much so cause your body and mental health to deteriorate. It’s a very serious concern for many humans out there in the world. Memes are a perfect way to seek a light connection with someone, whether you know them in real life or not. It encourages conversation and feeling seen. As someone who is constantly online and scrolling through memes, I can almost guarantee you that whatever low you are feeling, there is a meme already out there on the web about it. You might be sitting in your dark room all alone with tears in your eyes, thinking no one else in the world could possibly feel the way you do right now. And the BAM, your algorithm algos, and there comes along a meme with your EXACT sentiments. Now, you don’t feel so alone, because this meme is proof that you are most definitely NOT alone in your plights. 

A road to happiness and better mental health starts with laughter. Then It usually leads to a therapist. Why not combine the two? I know my therapist appreciates a meme about my current state of mind…