DIGITAL TRADITIONAL HUMOR STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN FACING THE BURDEN OF LIFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) was officially declared a global pandemic by the world health organization or WHO (World Health Organization) on March 11, 2020. This pandemic has become a new problem in various elements of society, one of which can cause anxiety. Anxiety in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the increasing number of cases of people exposed to the virus. The high increase in COVID-19 cases not only increases anxiety about health problems but also about the burden of life, either as a result of the limited economic environment or the condition of mass layoffs. One strategy to reduce anxiety in dealing with the burden of life can be through a humorous approach. Humor is a cultural product that can be found such as ketoprak, ludruk, and various humorous tales in every region in Indonesia. One kind of humor is traditional humor. This traditional humor can be used as a medium to reduce anxiety and can adjust to negative feeling conditions in stressful situations during a pandemic. The purpose of this study is to examine traditional digital humor strategies to reduce anxiety in dealing with the burdens of life during the COVID-19 pandemic and to find models of traditional digital humor strategies to reduce anxiety in dealing with the burdens of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the method used is a qualitative research approach using a systematic literature review and visual methods.  Through traditional digital humor strategies, the public can make an alternative solution in shaping the resilience of the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing anxiety in facing life’s increasingly pressing burdens. This research can be used as an update of the various humor media in Indonesia.