A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Your Waistline
You’ve probably heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and asking myself whether it actually holds up scientifically. Could humor play a meaningful role in realistic wellness?
Sigmund Freud, often credited as the father of modern psychology, once said that laughter releases tension and psychic energy. Today, we might describe that as mental energy or the fuel behind our thoughts and actions. From the lens of improving mental health, that idea feels especially relevant.
I also wanted to understand what is happening physiologically. The physical act of laughing increases air intake, which boosts oxygen levels in the body. Laughter stimulates the heart and lungs, releases muscle tension, and increases endorphins. The result is relief from the stress response and a calming effect on both the mind and body. This is one of my favorite stress reduction strategies because it works quickly and feels accessible.
I’ve shared before how movement can be a powerful way to release stress, and laughter works similarly. It’s almost like a mini workout for your organs. Laughter starts at the diaphragm, the main muscle of breathing, and engages the abdominal muscles. That is why your stomach can ache after a serious laughing fit. Your shoulders may join in, your heart rate increases, and before you know it, you feel lighter. Distraction also plays a role. When we laugh, our attention shifts away from stress and gives us a fresh perspective.
Stress relief shows up quickly, and research suggests there may be longer-lasting benefits as well. Heart health stands out here. Laughter lowers stress hormones that cause blood vessels to constrict. When those vessels relax, blood flow improves, and inflammation in the arteries may decrease. There is also evidence that laughter can raise high-density lipoprotein, often referred to as the helpful cholesterol. All of this reinforces why laughter belongs in conversations about realistic wellness and heart health.
Another area where laughter shows promise is immune function. Studies have found links between laughter and immune support. Positive thoughts and laughter can increase neuropeptides that help the body respond to stress. Laughter has also been associated with higher levels of antibody-producing cells, such as T-cells and natural killer cells.
I also want to highlight laughter as a powerful connector. Just like smiling, laughing spreads easily from person to person. Connection and community are major contributors to longevity, and shared laughter strengthens those bonds. When we laugh together, we reduce stress together. It really does come full circle.
It can feel strange to even discuss this since laughter is such a natural human response. Still, research suggests that children may laugh hundreds of times per day while adults average only fifteen times per day. Yikes! Even if the exact numbers vary, the takeaway is clear. Most of us could use more laughter in our lives.
So let’s be intentional about inviting it in. Pick a comedy for movie night, plan a game night with something playful like Twister or Poetry for Neanderthals, or choose activities that naturally spark humor rather than just sitting and talking. Structured fun often leads to more laughs.
I also encourage you to look for humor in everyday moments, even the frustrating ones. You have probably heard the phrase “I laugh, so I don’t cry.” Picture standing in a long line at the DMV with gum smacking behind you and questionable hygiene nearby. Could you turn that into a story that makes a friend laugh later? If frustration feels stuck, try faking it until it feels real. Even a forced smile or laugh can open the door to the real thing. Think about old sitcoms with laugh tracks and imagine laughing along. That pretend laugh can become genuine faster than you expect.
So is laughter the best medicine? I’m not sure I would rank it number one, but I do believe it belongs near the top. It supports improving mental health, contributes to heart health, fits beautifully into realistic wellness, and comes with no cost and no downside beyond smiling a little more.
Shall we get the laughter started? Share your favorite joke below! Here’s one to kick it off:
What do you call stolen cheddar?
…Nacho cheese!