No Joke – Laughing Every Day Keeps Worries Away

Remember you laughed so hard you cried? Your stomach hurt, your cheeks ached – and your worries disappeared…for a while, at least. That’s no accident. Laughter’s a mood booster, for sure, but it’s also a legitimate wellness tool that benefits your mind, body, and relationships. In today’s world, everyone could do with a daily dose of laughter.

The Science of Laughter

Researchers tell us that laughter sparks both physical and psychological changes. It reduces stress hormones like cortisol and boosts endorphins — the feel-good chemicals that give you a natural high. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can ease tension, stimulate your organs, and even improve immune function. In this case, health really can be a laughing matter!

Laughing can calm your nervous system and lower blood pressure. A review in Psychology Today notes that laughter therapy has been used successfully in hospitals and wellness programs to decrease anxiety. Who knew a laugh or two could be so good for you?

Laughter Builds Bonds

Shared laughter is social glue. When you laugh with someone, your brains sync up, which creates a sense of connection and trust. That’s why inside jokes feel so special and why laughter at a comedy show is contagious. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that laughter cues activate brain regions linked to bonding.

Good for Your Heart

Heart health might not be the first thing you think of when you laugh at a TikTok video, but it should be. The American Heart Association reports that laughter improves blood flow and reduces artery stiffness, both of which protect against cardiovascular disease. Researchers compare the effect to aerobic exercise (minus the treadmill).

How to Laugh More Every Day

Turns out laughter’s widely available under, above, and on top of the counter – no prescription’s necessary. You don’t need a reason to laugh. “Self-initiated laughter” — which is when you make the decision to laugh — has been shown to spark the same benefits as spontaneous giggles. So get laughing!

A few easy ways to invite more joy into your day:

●      Queue up the sitcoms: Watch a funny show, stand-up special, or silly YouTube vid

●      Share memes: Send that goofy reel to your group chat

●      Hang out with funny people: Seek out friends who make you laugh – it’s contagious

●      Laugh at yourself: Life is lighter when you don’t take it too seriously

●      Check out Laughter Yoga: Yes, it’s real — and yes, it works

Joy’s Butterfly Effect

Here’s the real magic:  laughter’s good for everyone. Your guffaws lift up those around you. Psychologists call it “emotional contagion” — we catch each other’s moods, and we all share in the benefits.

So go ahead:  Watch that water-skiing cat video again. Check in with a compadre who makes you chuckle. Or just look out the window and laugh at the incredibly weird, wild world we live in.

Did you hear the one about the doctor who prescribed laughter for all of her patients? It’s no joke!