Thanksgiving break is on the horizon, but my view is obstructed by papers, tests and quizzes.

And after a long weekend of delicious turkey and stuffing smothered with mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, I get to return to not-so-delicious homework and classes smothered with studying for finals.

Also, it’s getting colder.

I think most of us could use a good laugh right about now, and to satisfy this need, this month’s In Focus is all about comedy — comedy that spans the past 60 years and crosses generations, ethnicities, cultures and even species.

Did you know rats laugh?

That’s kind of awesome.

The researchers in the psychology department on campus tickle the rats, by hand, and the rodents chirp in response. They also chirp when playing with each other.

There’s a video on YouTube of rats laughing, if you’re curious.

But the point is the rats’ basic brain chemistry, at least the parts concerning emotion, mirrors our own, and probably mirrors other animals as well.

And all of this shows that while stress and hopelessness are universal, so, apparently, is elation. That same brain, whether human or animal, that gives us anxiety also gives us joy.

It doesn’t matter where you get your laughs or why you find it funny. The stories this month cover different humor formats, including sitcoms, stand up, comics, improve and good, old-fashioned play. Pick any of them you want. What matters is whether you let yourself have fun.

I get that school is probably bearing down on most of us this time of year, but I think it’s beneficial to relax every once in a while. And if you think you don’t have time to have fun, you probably do. Cut out Facebook for a while. Or sleep. It’s worth it.