The importance of laughter

[7 MIN READ]

Laughter is a universal and easily accessible way to feel good. Research shows that it provides many physical, mental and social benefits.
Laughter boosts your immune system, decreases pain, enhances longevity, offers perspective, builds resilience and promotes bonding.
To foster more laughter in your life, play with kids or pets, watch funny entertainment, share jokes or humorous stories, don’t take yourself too seriously and try laughter therapy.

The importance of laughter

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in physical health and overall wellness has grown significantly. However, mental health concerns and stress levels also have risen. And the U.S. Surgeon General has described loneliness as an epidemic.

The good news? There are many ways to feel better and connect with others, which can improve your well-being.

In fact, one simple way may surprise you. It’s free, universal, easily accessible and natural. You probably don’t give it much thought.

It’s laughter.

What is laughter?

In an article published in 2016, researchers describe laughter as, “… a physical reaction characterized by a distinct repetitive vocal sound, certain facial expressions and the contraction of various muscle groups.” Laughter is a natural response to your environment, situation and stimuli.

Scientific interest in the health benefits of laughter increased after journalist Norman Cousins published Anatomy of an Illness in 1979. Cousins described how he used laughter as an effective treatment method to ease chronic pain caused by connective tissue disease.

According to research, five different types of laughter exist, including spontaneous, self-induced, stimulated, induced and pathological. Several theories have emerged about why we laugh, but no real consensus exists. Research has proven, however, that laughter benefits your body, mind and social connections.

“Laughter can help your physical and mental health, and it’s important for our relationships and everyday lives,” says Robin Henderson, Psy.D, chief executive for behavioral health for Providence Oregon. “It’s actually very therapeutic.”

Today, some healthcare professionals recommend prescribing laughter as therapy not only to help individuals, but also to improve health and ultimately reduce healthcare costs.

Benefits of laughter

Have you heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine?” There’s some truth to it, and understanding how it affects you reinforces the importance of laughter.

You already know that laughing makes you feel good, but consider what studies have shown regarding the multiple benefits of laughter.

Physical benefits

Boosts your immune system: increases infection-fighting antibodies
Decreases pain: releases endorphins, your “feel-good” hormones
Enhances longevity: is associated with longer life
Improves heart health: lowers your blood pressure and stimulates blood flow
Increases oxygen intake: decreases heart rate and promotes relaxation
Sharpen your brain: can help you think more clearly and creatively
Works your core: strengthens your abdominal muscles and diaphragm

Mental and emotional benefits

Eases tension: reduces stress hormone (cortisol) levels and promotes relaxation
Enhances perspective: fuels optimism, offers distraction and supports coping skills
Fosters resilience: can provide hope, boost self-esteem and help you bounce back
Improves mood: raises dopamine and serotonin levels; can decrease depression and anxiety

“A really good laughing jag or belly laugh gives you a rush of endorphins and protects you from the damaging effects of stress,” Dr. Henderson explains.

Social benefits

Attracts others: enhances your personal appeal, thanks to your joy and sense of humor
Helps defuse conflict: provides stress relief and can lower anger and defensiveness
Promotes bonding: unites people as a shared experience, triggers emotional connection
Strengthens relationships: can release inhibitions, create core memories and build community

“Laughing with your family is part of what bonds your relationships,” Dr. Henderson says. “We all have stories of when we’ve laughed with our family, and it brings back a flood of memories.”

Plus, laughing is contagious. Think about the laugh tracks or recorded laughter on TV sitcoms. Just hearing laughter can prime you to join in. Laughter is a universal language that everyone can immediately relate to and share. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a good laugh?

Fostering more laughter

Laughter is innate and typically spontaneous. Babies laugh early in life, and children laugh as many as 300 times a day. But as we mature, we tend to become more serious, and we laugh less. Some research shows adults only laugh 17.5 to 26 times per day.

That means we must be intentional and find reasons to laugh. We should also foster situations that make us laugh more often. Here are some simple ways to increase laughter – and all its positive effects – in your life:

Bring it up: Routinely ask others about the funniest thing that’s happened to them recently. Then, share your own story.
Commit to it: Laugh every day if possible, ideally more than once. This may be a stretch during particularly challenging seasons, but when you can, find a reason to chuckle.
Enjoy kids or pets: Playing is a lost art for most adults. Spending time and engaging with kids at their level or playing with your dog or cat undoubtedly brings about some giggles.
Find funny friends: Surround yourself with lighthearted people who laugh a lot and identify humor in everyday life. Look for irony and whatever seems ridiculous where you can.
Immerse yourself in funny entertainment: Watch humorous TV shows, movies, videos or podcasts; listen to comedians; go to comedy shows; read comics or funny books and share good jokes.
Invite others to play games: Silly board games can induce fits of deep belly laughter. Find your favorites and get a group together for fun.
Practice gratitude: Counting your blessings creates a more positive mindset, where you’re looking for the good and more likely to laugh.
Quit taking yourself so seriously: Laughing at yourself is one of the best ways to accept mistakes, manage stress and simply be more content. Acknowledging your imperfections and embarrassing moments also can inspire others to laugh with you.
Smile: It’s the first step toward laughing and is also contagious. It’s faster to go from a smile to a laugh than a frown, and it makes you more attractive and approachable.
Try laughter yoga or laughter therapy: It sounds goofy, and it is. But that’s the point. You may have to fake it at first, but being immersed in a group of guffaws is guaranteed to lift your spirits and energize your body.
Write it down: Keep a laughter journal where you log what has you chuckling.

“Finding ways to laugh as a coping mechanism and as a way to deal with the human condition can be so important,” Dr. Henderson says. “It’s about laughing with intentionality. Some of the best things come from laughter.”

Contributing caregiver

Robin Henderson, Psy.D., is the chief executive for behavioral health for Providence Oregon in Portland, Oregon.

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