As we know only too well, life doesn’t always go smoothly. We all have struggles which affect our mental wellbeing, whether in our relationships, our health or our work.
We also know that humour can help us cope with these difficult moments. Laughing won’t make problems disappear, of course, but humour does have the power to provide us not only with a fresh perspective, but also with real physiological benefits.
How does laughing make us feel better?
Have you ever felt so much better after a really good laugh that you’ve thought ‘I must do this more often’?
Of course you have. We all have. But do you know why laughing improves our mood?
It’s all down to hormones. Scientific research shows that laughing helps us relax by reducing the amount of the stress-related hormone cortisol which our bodies produce. Less cortisol pumping through our system helps us relax.
But laughing doesn’t only cut the supply of cortisol; it also helps boost our production of endorphins and of dopamine (the former is the so-called ‘feel-good’ chemicals that help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve our mood; the latter is our brain’s ‘reward’ chemical, which produces feelings of pleasure and satisfaction).
There is strong evidence that humour is beneficial for mental health, primarily as a coping mechanism to reduce stress.
British Psychological Society (1)
Sharing a laugh strengthens social bonds
Research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that humour plays a crucial role in enhancing mental wellbeing. Not only does laughing act as a natural stress reliever, but sharing laughter with others can help strengthen social bonds and create a sense of belonging.
According to Dr Jon Sutton, Editor of Psychologist magazine and Leicester Comedy Festival Trustee, ‘Laughter is a powerful psychological tool. There have been numerous studies over the years which show time and again that experiencing live comedy helps lower stress levels, boost resilience and reduces the risk of feelings of isolation. Live performances are a communal experience and can have a profound impact on mental and psychological well-being.’ 2
Laughter is so powerful that it’s even being used as a therapeutic tool. Laughter yoga, in which participants engage in voluntary laughing exercises, is becoming a ‘thing’, gaining popularity worldwide as a means to combat stress and enhance psychological health.
Dr Robert Provine, who’s described as the world’s leading scientific expert on laughter, argues that the positive emotions we share when we laugh with people are critically important for social cohesion. ‘Basically, when we laugh with those around us, we bond with them and make connections, which reduce feelings of isolation and help boost our mental wellbeing’, he says. 3
The healing power of humour
The charity Anxious Minds emphasises ‘the transformative power of laughter in reducing tension and preventing disease, making it a simple yet effective activity for daily life’ and notes that ‘every minute spent laughing contributes to long-term happiness and healthier living.’ 4
Even laughing at ourselves can soften the blow of our own mistakes and imperfections, while turning an annoying situation into a funny story can help us see the lighter side and make it easier to shrug off something that might otherwise get us down.
Humour can also serve as a bridge during tough conversations or in emotionally difficult situations. Finding a moment of levity shouldn’t diminish the seriousness of the matter, but it can provide relief that allows us to navigate hardships more effectively.
For many of us humour becomes a lifeline, reminding us that even in dark times, there’s a glimmer of light to be found.
How to make laughter a habit
One of the beauties of humour is its accessibility. We don’t need to buy tickets to a stand-up comedy gig when there are so many other opportunities to laugh.
By actively seeking out opportunities for laughter, we can help humour to naturally permeate our daily routines. The more we practise finding joy in the small, silly moments, the easier it becomes to make laughter a habit.
However, if laughter isn’t something that comes easily, here are some ideas for getting a giggle on:
1 – Watch or listen to something funny. It might seem obvious, but dedicating a few minutes every day to comedy, whether it’s stand-up routines, sitcoms, funny podcasts or amusing clips online can start us on the road to regular laughter.
2 – Surround ourselves with humour. Engaging with funny content regularly can keep us smiling and chuckling, so try following humorous social media accounts, blogs or forums.
3 – Share jokes or funny stories. Share lighthearted anecdotes, jokes or stories with friends, family, or colleagues can help spread laughter and benefit both us and other people.
4 – Embrace playfulness. We should be open to finding humour in everyday situations, whether it’s laughing at our own quirks or finding joy in life’s absurdities, adopt a playful mindset can help our mental wellbeing.
5 – Try laughter yoga. The technique of laughter yoga combines intentional laughter with deep breathing and, although it might feel silly at first, can help us laugh even without the external stimulation of jokes and funny stories.
Beware humour that hurts – or hides
While humour can help us get through life more easily, improving our own wellbeing shouldn’t come at the expense of hurting someone else.
We should always remember that not all jokes land well. Sarcasm, for instance, might feel witty in the moment, but if not used carefully it can come across as hurtful and sometimes alienate other people. Similarly, humour that targets others in a demeaning way – even when intended as harmless banter – can erode trust and relationships over time.
It’s also worth noting that humour shouldn’t be used to avoid addressing serious issues. Masking pain or deflecting emotions with jokes might offer short-term relief, but shouldn’t be used simply to put off any action that’s needed, such as seeking professional medical help or tackling financial problems.
Summary
From reducing stress to building stronger connections, laughter offers us benefits that can profoundly impact our lives. In a world that often feels difficult to cope with, humour reminds us to look for moments of lightness and joy, whether through laughing at ourselves, sharing a joke with someone or settling down with a favourite film on tv.
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Here at MTS Psychological Health, I am passionate about your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Don’t suffer psychological issues in silence: get in touch and discover how I can help you to alleviate a range of anxiety and depression symptoms from mild to severe presentations.
We can discuss the best clinical way to alleviate your suffering, which may be either through a course of psychoanalytic psychotherapy or with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique / Tapping) and Aromatherapy, so you can enjoy life to the full again.
References
1 British Psychological Society: The Psychologist: Cracking the joke
2 British Psychological Society: Get out to live comedy for better mental and physical health, say psychologists
3 Action Mental Health: How having a laugh can boost our wellbeing
4 Anxious Minds: How Humor and Laughter Can Improve Your Mental Health
Further reading
National Center for Biotechnology Information: Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review
