How can you incorporate humor into your conference experience to manage stress?

Speakers need to be made aware that they should include humor in their speeches. Using humor, especially at the beginning of conversations, will be very helpful in managing stress.

Making a fool of yourself may definitively help getting your points across and achieve the goals of a(ny) conference. Not only does it show your sense of humor, but also humility and authenticity, people love experts with an human side. When you make a mistake or make a fool of yourself, others may find it easier to relate to you. That way you may become an example for others. Demonstrating Resilience: If you can handle making a mistake or looking foolish with grace and resilience, it can earn respect. How you respond to setbacks and challenges often says more about your character than the mistake itself.

For me its all about being your authentic self and voice. When I have stood up and spoke it has always been more conversational in style and as the conversation progresses (no matter how one sided) often it triggers humor in the observations or examples you share. Basically if you aren't having fun speaking don't do it.

Who was it who said 'The audience will forget what you say, but they'll remember how you make them FEEL?' Humour can be a powerful tool and like any tool it can harm as well as help: Be VERY wary of banter/ put downs/picking on folks. However light-hearted they are meant to be, they'll come across as mean and divisive in the amplied emotions of a conference setting. Conversely, warm humour, humour that makes people feel understood, energised, lighter... can make a room full of different individuals and departments feel connected and leave a buzz long after people have left the conference room.

I believe it starts with not taking yourself too seriously. We all are human, and we all experience funny, exciting and sometimes weird situations daily. The humour comes from the inner dialogue, where your mind goes, “What?” Share this moment with your crowd, as if you were telling a good friend this story, and how it made you either laugh, squirm or feel super awkward. This sharing with humour is a skill to practice. As a moderator, I try to use the moment and anything that goes right or wrong. Every shout from the crowd, or technical difficulty can be used to reflect on.

Totally agree, used correctly, humor is a superpower! Research has shown that it helps strengthen relationships, makes us more competent and confident, helps defuse tension and helps lose weight in 30 days!

True! Due to diversity jokes and quirks always have to be in good taste! Your humor may not always be understood in the correct way and may offend someone.

Being funny is not about cracking the best jokes it’s about approaching life with a spirit of levity. Studies have shown that adding a mildly funny line at the end of a sales pitch like “my final offer is X, and I’ll through in my pet frog” increases customer’s willingness to pay by an average 18%

In technical conferences the content is the main point, and a bit of humor it's important for keeping the audience awake and distress them. Filling the speech with memes and continuous jokes makes the session annoying and not taken seriously.

Agree! It is useful to bring a point across. Delegates will often remember the humor in the remark along with the statement! But we are in serious business so the balance is so important. Keep your audience captivated.

It is always good to try and learn from others as long as you do not try to imitate them - forced humor is not always successful. Find your own way but having a mentor that can guide you is worth it.

I think that this is where too many speakers go wrong; Humor is not a skill - it's a function of your personality, your outlook on life, your sense of the unexpected;.. Basically, it's all but a skill...

It is important to read the room and see if humor will be experienced in a positive manner. Some audiences prefer that you keep to the agenda in a serious manner - but there are others that enjoy a good laugh. Also, see what others do before you and how the audience responds. This way you will know how to act.

When you laugh together with someone you release these endorphins like a runners high. We also have lowering of cortisol so you feel calmer and less stress. You also release Oxytocin which is called trust or love hormone. As far as our brains are concerned laughter is like exercising, meditating and having sex at the same time, but logically easier. HR is not going to come after you. Use all-inclusive humor, see how people respond and continue if it goes well. It’s all about the timing and reading the room. The best joke at the wrong time and audience will flop. For instance, Did you hear the joke about the roof? I doubt you’d get it, it’s over your head.

I have a knack for writing humourous poems, raps, and songs. I find a place to inject it into the conference with some fun.

Humor needs to be very natural and should fit into the discussion smoothly. 1. Homonyms sometimes add humour in an intelligent way. 2. Rhyming words can work too. 3. If you add the right tone n stress then people get a breather, a laugh and you can move back to Business. 4. A little relatable story that can create the right visual and fun can be added too. 5. People absolutely love to hear stories of success or failure clubbed with a little funny experiences, those can give a lighter moment and prepare everyone for some harder discussions. Personally the person cracking the joke also gets a dose of oxytocin along with the others. :-) Just shared my trick...!!

Regrets for what people wished for in their final days of life: Boldness, authenticity, presence, joy and love. Here’s the big secret: Humor mitigates all of five of these regrets.