A good laugh can completely lift your mood. Laughter is a fabulous mental health therapy, a pick-me-up that can last and turn sad moments into more manageable ones. Even when things are overwhelming, a hearty laugh reminds us that not everything is falling apart. It helps reframe adverse events (or thoughts) so that those memories can be better stored in the brain and cause us less emotional harm. It’s like a pressure cooker release valve.
Laughter causes the diaphragm, chest, and abdominal muscles to tighten and relax, stimulating the Vagus nerve, the main relaxation nerve in the body (in the parasympathetic nervous system). This sets off a deep relaxation response and triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good (and health) hormones, which reduce stress and anxiety while improving mood. Studies suggest that laughter can enhance the immune system by raising immunoglobulins (antibodies that protect us from harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and improving cardiovascular function, leading to permanently lowered blood pressure and resting heart rate over time, if both were high.
Then, there’s group laughter, which helps us trust each other more. It’s great for rapport building (in moderation) and gives people space to feel safe without being too serious. That’s why group therapy sessions, classrooms, and workplaces benefit from being more open to humour.
Laughter has major physiological and psychological benefits, regardless of whether it’s real or simulated. This is seen in laughter yoga, where the premise is that the subconscious mind cannot differentiate between real and fake laughter. Participants start with simulated laughter, which usually turns genuine due to the contagious nature (and perceived silliness) of such laughter within a group setting.
So whether you’re alone trying to lift your spirits or with others, never underestimate the healing power of a good, belly laugh. Humour in everyday situations is often the funniest; its health benefits are massive and cost nothing. Laughter is perhaps the best medicine!
