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We’ve all heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine. But why does a good laugh actually make us feel better? While laughter can’t replace proper medical care, it can have some genuinely positive effects on both the mind and body. As the Mayo Clinic points out, laughter can increase your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulating your heart, lungs, and muscles. It can also trigger the release of endorphins, the brain’s feel-good chemicals. So, that uncontrollable laugh when someone says something ridiculous may be doing a little more for you than simply making your day more entertaining.
The benefits can extend beyond that immediate feeling of happiness, too. Mirthful laughter may improve blood vessel function, increase blood flow, and help lower blood pressure, all of which can support cardiovascular health. A good laugh can also help ease stress and encourage your body to relax. Of course, nobody is suggesting that a few funny jokes are a substitute for exercise, medication, or a balanced lifestyle, but finding moments of genuine joy certainly doesn't hurt. Sometimes, your body seems to appreciate a good laugh just as much as your mood does.
Some research has even explored whether having a good sense of humor could be connected to living longer. A Norwegian study found an association between a strong sense of humor and better survival, with particularly notable findings among people with certain illnesses, including cancer. The fascinating connection between positive emotions and physical health has also been explored in Norman Cousins’ classic medical memoir, Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient. The book follows Cousins’ experience with ankylosing spondylitis and his belief that stress, despair, hope, and joy could all influence how the body responds to illness. His unusual approach helped spark wider conversations about the relationship between the mind, emotions, and physical well-being.
#11 Imagine The World Had A Sense Of Humor Still And Businesses Started Advertising Like This Again 🤣
Cousins’ story is certainly one of the more unusual examples of taking laughter seriously. According to his memoir, he checked himself out of the hospital and into a hotel, where he combined medical treatment with large doses of vitamin C and regular viewings of Marx Brothers films and Candid Camera. Cousins wrote that periods of deep laughter seemed to help him manage pain and sleep better, leading him to explore what he described as the “biochemistry of positive emotions.” His experience was personal rather than a proven cure for everyone, but it became an influential example of how hope, enjoyment, and emotional well-being can play a meaningful role alongside proper medical treatment.
And the benefits of laughter aren’t limited to physical health. Humor can also be incredibly useful when life gets tense. Whether you're dealing with a disagreement with your partner, an awkward family gathering, or a stressful day at work, a well-timed laugh can sometimes take the edge off the situation. It won't magically solve every problem, of course, and there are moments when jokes are definitely not appropriate. But shared laughter can lower tension, help people feel more connected, and make difficult situations seem a little easier to handle. Sometimes, laughing together reminds us that we're on the same team.
Health psychologist Grace Tworek, PsyD, suggests thinking about laughter as a lifestyle rather than a prescription. In a piece for Cleveland Clinic, she recommends taking a moment to reflect on the things that naturally bring you joy. As she puts it, “When someone’s in a funk, one exercise I like to recommend is to just think back to something that usually would make you smile.” For one person, that might be a favorite song, while for someone else, it could be a walk around the block, spending time in the sunshine, watching a silly video, or calling a friend who always knows how to make them laugh.
