The idea that laughter is the best medicine has been around for a long time. But how true is it? 

Considering that humor distances us from our problems, the idea is not hard to believe. Even folks who lived 3000 years ago supported it. Biblical scripture says, (proverb 17:22) “A merry heart does good like a medicine but a broken spirit dries the bone.” 

Fast forward to the present time, the scientific community has joined this age-old wisdom and they are providing empirical evidence of laughter’s impact on mental health. Research has proven that laughter is not merely an escape from reality, rather it’s a powerful force that shapes our emotional experiences. 

Many people overlook how humor can be a powerful tool for dealing with the demons in our lives. Here are 5 benefits of laughter (for mental health) that you can start to implement right away. 

#1. Stress reduction

When we feel happy, our brain releases a hormone called endorphins. This hormone is a natural painkiller that makes us feel good and reduces stress.  Additionally, our brain also releases another hormone named dopamine which contributes to a further decrease in stress. 

A study at Loma Linda University in California suggests that people who watch funny videos for 20 minutes tend to have better short-term memory and a significant drop of cortisol (stress hormone) in their saliva.  

Psychologically speaking, humor serves as a cognitive tool that allows people to view stressful situations from a lighter perspective. This shift in perspective creates a distance between people and their stressors while enhancing their mental health. 

#2. Physical benefits

There’s a Yiddish proverb that says as soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. This ancient wisdom suggests that laughter has a rejuvenating quality for our souls. Today, scientists have proved this to be true. 

Studies suggest that as the level of sense of humor increases, the likelihood of contracting coronary heart disease decreases. Although the exact mechanism behind this process is not known, it is said to occur due to improved blood flow and vascular function.  

The impact of laughter on the immune system is noteworthy too. Laughter has been proven to have the power to strengthen your immune system, boost resistance to disease, and reduce pain.

#3. Social bonding

The quality of your connections can significantly influence the quality of your life. Your bond with others impacts every aspect of your life. Whether it be emotional, mental, or physical. 

“Lack of social connection is worse for our health than smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. It’s not an exaggeration to say that lack of social connection can kill us.”, says Dr. Starla Fitch, an ophthalmologist.

When you have a strong social connection with others, you are more likely to trust them and be stress-free around them. 

“We are much more likely to laugh with other people than when alone, and most humor arises in response to the behavior of other people or human-like traits in non-human animals,” says Professor Rod Martin, clinical psychologist at the University of Western Ontario.

#4. Perspective shift

The better we get at humor, the easier it becomes to look at situations from a positive point of view. The environment around us starts to feel lighter and better. We subconsciously start to focus more on the positive aspects of our lives and avoid dwelling on situations that bring us stress and are taxing on our mental health. 

Professor Rod Martin supports this by saying, “People who have more of a sense of humor are better able to cope with stress and therefore are less adversely affected by it.”

Laughing things off makes us playful and develops a non-serious frame of mind in people towards the obstacles. In the long term, this practice makes us more resilient, safeguards us from unnecessary headaches, and encourages people around us to do the same.  

#5. Coping mechanism 

Humor is a coping mechanism that people have been using for ages without knowing much about the benefits that it brings. However, it is essential to note that humorous behavior is not always healthy. If your humor involves degrading yourself or others, understandably, it will only do you more harm than good.

When practiced right, humor can reduce the impact of your past traumas. A 2016 study, conveyed the relationship between humor and psychology among 200 people who were victims of terror attacks. Researchers concluded that humorous people have fewer trauma symptoms. 

The power of humor

When done right, humor can bring you a myriad of benefits for mental health. A 2019 review suggests that there is a strong relationship between humor and overall health. Engaging in a humorous setting will – improve your communication, reduce your anxiety, relieve your tension, and speed up your recovery. We hope that this article has helped you gain deeper insights into the benefits of laughter for mental health.

References

1. Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review. (2016, July). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27439375/ 
2. How Laughter can Improve your Short Term Memory. (n.d.). Loma Linda University Health. Retrieved November 20, from https://lluh.org/patients-visitors/health-wellness/live-it/online-health-show/episode-5-laughter-and-memory 
3. Inverse association between sense of humor and coronary heart disease. (2001, August). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11575268/ 
4. Humor and Laughter May Influence Health IV. Humor and Immune Function. (2007, June 6). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686627/ 
5. The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness. (2015, October 7). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125010/ 
6. Connect or die: The surprising power of human relationships. (2015). YouTube. Retrieved November 20, from https://youtu.be/z-WwsALhH04?si=eV8Q87wJMTpAg03l 
7. Three Decades Investigating Humor and Laughter: An Interview With Professor Rod Martin. (2016 August 12). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991054/ 
8. Humor and Trauma-Related Psychopathology Among Survivors of Terror Attacks and Their Spouses. (2016, January 8). Tandfonline. Retrieved November 20, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00332747.2015.1061312?journalCode=upsy20 
9. Humor intervention in nurse-patient interaction review. (2019, August 19). PubMed. Retrieved November 20, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31432968/