Why Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Laughter as a therapy is the best medicine, unless you are laughing for no reason then you might need medicine 😊. Hope that made you smile 😊.

Do you remember when you were a kid and you would laugh so hard at even the most absurd things? Like a goofy face, a made-up word, or someone tripping over their shoelace could have you in stitches of hysterical laughter. But somewhere along the way, school deadlines, job interviews, bills, and adulting, has made us stop laughing so freely. We started taking life too seriously.

But this is not supposed to be the case, as laughter isn’t just for children or comedians. In a world full of stress, anxiety and so much negativity as we grow into it, laugher should rather be a free, useful and healthy way to cope, heal and overcome stress. It should be practiced intentionally, like a habit, a workout, or meditation.

Beyond its comforting familiarity lies a wealth of scientific evidence underscoring laughter’s profound impact on our mental and physical well-being. 

From reducing stress hormone levels to strengthening friendship.

What Happens in Your Brain When You Laugh?

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can cause harm to our health. But laughter is known as a natural stress reliever that helps to lower the stress hormone (cortisol).

Research has shown that true laughter has been able to decrease cortisol levels to a great extent, which leads to relaxation and reduces anxiety. A single session of laughter yoga has been found to reduce cortisol levels by as much as 37% (Source).

Elevating Mood and Enhancing Well-being

Laughing releases endorphins which is the body’s natural feel-good chemical that creates feelings of happiness and pain relief.

In addition, laughing raises levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters that play a role in mood control and happiness.

Laughter again helps you change your perspective. You begin to see very difficult events as funny overtime. This prevents us from putting unnecessary stress on ourselves.

Social Bonding: Laughter as a Social Glue

Laughter is not just a personal experience; it is a social one. Laughing together with friends and family helps makes relationships stronger, develops trust, and brings a feeling of belonging. 

Research indicates that laughing together increases social bonding and can enhance group cohesion. In romantic relationships, couples who laugh together report higher relationship satisfaction (Source)

Therapeutic Applications: Laughter in Clinical Settings

The therapeutic benefit of laughter has also been applied to various clinical settings. Laughter therapy is the process of inducing laughter to help improve mental health status in various groups, even those battling with chronic illness (Source)

Studies have shown that laughter therapy has been utilised to improve quality of life in cancer patients, reduce the perception of pain, and alleviate psychological distress.

Example: laughter yoga, combines unconditional laughter with breathing exercises. It has gained popularity as a complementary therapy strategy for stress management and promoting overall well-being (Source).

Physical Health Benefits: Beyond the Mind

Laughter also improves our physical health. It increases immune function, lowers blood pressure, and improves cardiovascular health. By increasing oxygen intake and stimulating heart and lung function, laughter provides a mini workout to the body. Also, the release of endorphins during laughter acts as a painkiller, reducing pain and relaxing the body (Source, Source)

Cultural and Developmental Perspectives: A Universal Language

Laughter transcends cultural boundaries and is a universal human behaviour.

From childhood, humans exhibit laughter, indicating its fundamental role in development and socialisation. Although reasons behind laughter can be varied among cultures, the communicative and bonding function of laughter is uniform across cultures (Source)

The Fine Line: Laughter vs. Toxic Positivity

Although there are numerous beneficial effects of laughter, it is also necessary to be mindful when it is used to mask issues. Using humor to deflect or avoid confronting emotions can lead to “toxic positivity.”

It is therefore important to balance laughter as a therapy with genuine emotional expression and seek professional guidance when needed.

Practical Tips to Incorporate More Laughter into Daily Life

• Watch Comedies: Try and watch humorous content that resonates with you.
• Take Part in Laughter Yoga Sessions: Participate in laughter sessions with others so that you can see the joy and sense the collective laughter.
• Socialise: Spend time with your family members and friends and loved ones who uplift your spirits.
• Practice Mindfulness: Be present and find humor in everyday situations. Learn to laugh at your own situation and watch your tension begin to evaporate. Even though it doesn’t come naturally, practice laughter. It is good for your body
• Keep a Laughter Journal:  Note down incidents that made you laugh so that during tough times you can relive them.
• Know what is not funny. Do not laugh at the expense of someone else. There are some forms of humor that are dark. Use your own judgment in choosing a good joke from one that is bad or offending

The next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, do not forget to take a break and laugh it off. Embracing laughter is not just about seeking joy, it is about nurturing our mental, emotional, and physical health.

So, the next time you find yourself laughing, remember you are not just having fun; you are also healing. Because at the end, Laugher truly is the best medicine.