While we should not “laugh off” serious issues, light-heartedness and laughter have proven physical and psychological benefits that improve our physical and emotional health. In the midst of anxiety, stress, depression, or illness, it can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude. As a psychotherapist in New York City, I have helped many people develop this skill, which has led to an improvement in their mood and overall perspective.
Light-heartedness in difficult times
Many people are surprised to discover that humor has been researched and found to be a useful method of therapy and healing. A 2021 study found that those who showed both humor and optimism during the pandemic experienced better well-being. A 2017 study found that laughter therapy reduced symptoms of depression in long-term care patients and helped them sleep better. Another 2020 study showed that older adults living in a nursing home who regularly told jokes and engaged in fun competitions with each other had reduced depressive symptoms.
How do laughter and humor help and heal? Various other studies have found benefits to be both physiological and social.
- Humor and laughter reduce the stress hormone cortisol while increasing endorphins, the hormones that make you feel good
- Laughter and positivity may strengthen the immune system by decreasing stress and increasing the release of natural killer cells that fight infection
- Humor has been found to improve student performance and short-term memory
- Humor increases pain tolerance by inducing the body to create more natural painkillers
- Some research suggests that humor may help protect the heart
- Humor stimulates our natural reward system (when something makes you feel good, you do it more)
- The very process of laughing stimulates the organs and increases the intake of oxygen-rich air
- Laughter can increase one’s own personal satisfaction and improve personal relationships, strengthening bonds with others
Introducing more humor
Of course, one should never laugh at the expense of others. This is a form of bullying, which in the long run, hurts the bully as much as the victim. But there are so many wholesome ways of adding humor to your life. Here are just a few ways that I suggest to my clients:
- Watch a few favorite comedic movies, podcasters, or YouTubers on a regular basis. Give yourself a daily dose, and rotate to keep them fresh and funny. Comedycures.org is a website devoted to offering something to tickle your funnybone, 24/7, whenever you need it.
- Visit a bookstore and look through the joke books. Find a few that appeal to your humor. Read a joke or two daily that gives you a really good laugh.
- Share funny stories or jokes with co-workers or family, and laugh together! This helps both of you in all the ways listed above, strengthens your relationship, and creates a positive atmosphere at work or home.
- Post funny comic strips or quotes around your house or your desk at work.
- When all else fails, sit back and just force a good laugh. Your brain may know it’s not sincere, but your body will still benefit from the laughter. And this can actually cause the happy hormones to kick in, improving your mood even though your laughter was initially “fake.”
- If you find yourself frowning, raise your eyebrows and smile. This can also stimulate a positive physiological response and improve your mood.
Some people can find it very difficult to get started on a path of positive thinking and lighthearted humor in the face of challenges. Therapy can help you identify and overcome barriers to joy. Look for a therapist near you who, where appropriate, incorporates the use of humor in his or her therapy, or if you are in the NYC area, reach out to me to see how I can help you.