A few new trends have cropped up during self-isolation.

Many of us have turned to baking bread to pass the time. Others have been embracing their green thumb in the garden, while jigsaw puzzle and board game sales have soared.

One of the most popular quarantine activities, however, has been getting behind a platform that’s largely been favoured by Gen Z until this point: TikTok.

The app has seen a massive surge in popularity during COVID-19 while most of us are stuck at home. There’s something about scrolling through bite-sized, funny videos that’s so addictive – and provides a much-needed break from the reality of what’s happening in the world.

Many healthcare workers have also been using the app and making videos of popular TikTok dances to boost morale on shift, which has helped to foster community among medical staff around the world.

According to Ros Ben-Moshe, La Trobe Adjunct Lecturer in Public Health:

Self-enhancing humour – maintaining a humorous outlook in stressful or adverse situations – is linked to positive psychological well-being signs such as happiness, satisfaction with life, and an optimistic outlook.

So there you have it. In a roundabout way, laughing at funny videos in difficult situations can be good for our mental health.

During this time, look after yourself and those you love by having a laugh together – and if you haven’t downloaded TikTok, now’s the perfect time to do so (sorry teenagers, the app’s definitely less cool now).

Without further ado, here are some of our favourite videos to get you giggling.

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1. Cat owners, be real: have you tried this with your feline friends during lockdown?

@ambsbeega

He really did throw me off at the end and made me lose doe 😅💔 #foryou #fyp #cat #tictactoe

♬ original sound – ambsbeega

2. How studying can feel in self-isolation sometimes:

@yunggerard

It really be like that sometimes ://// #keepingbusy #fyp #foryou #university #chiitan #viral #eyesonme #miss

♬ original sound – yunggerard

3. Don’t be suspicious…

@cambrthomp

♬ Don’t be suspicious – dumbbishsauce

4. Does this sound make anyone else feel instantly panicked?

@pretzeldicks

lmao me b4 work back when we all had jobs

♬ sonido original – bettina_pekle

5. An iso classic:

@joshualong3

♬ original sound – joshualong3

6. Now’s a great time to learn new things about each other:

@baitlynm

it’s really different #animals #日本 #canada #fyp

♬ original sound – baitlynm

7. This sweet chonk is trying his best:

@tuckerbudzyn

Great Wall of Butt Wipe 🧻💩 #toiletpaperchallenge #foryoupage #foryourpage #foryou #fyp #dogsoftiktok

♬ original sound – tuckerbudzyn

8. What would a TikTok compilation be without a bit of Boman?

@bomanizer

When one of your friends coughs except it’s reality TV #fyp #foryou #realitytv

♬ original sound – bomanizer

9. ‘I EXIST!’

@davidyrodriguez

you talking to your crush #pourtoi #foryou

♬ son original – davidyrodriguez

10. An iconic video from one of TikTok’s favourite families in quarantine (make sure to check out the whole series):

@cloudtalk

so basically this is me and my family in quarantine 😐 #quarantine #blindinglights #blindinglightschallenge (her face at the end though)

♬ Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

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Looking for more stories to distract you? Find them on the La Trobe website.