Today is World Laughter Day, the perfect opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the simple and joyful act of laughing. When laughter happens frequently in our lives, its importance is often overlooked. Beyond joy and humour, laughter also plays a meaningful role in our mental health.
The Science Behind Smiling
Laughter is more than a response to something funny; it stimulates many parts of the body and offers psychological benefits such as reducing stress and boosting mood¹. Studies have shown that laughter can reduce cortisol levels, minimise short and long-term stress, and improve quality of life².
Methods like laughter yoga and laughter therapy have been widely used as targeted mood-boosting exercises and received good outcomes2.
Understanding the Link Between Laughter and Health
Laughter benefits our mental and physical health in several ways, including:
1. Laughter eases anxiety and tension
When you are laughing, it is difficult to feel sad, angry, or anxious at the same time. This allows your mind to rest safely, away from potentially distressing emotions3.
2. Laughter is a mood booster
Laughter reduces your cortisol levels1, cortisol is a hormone produced by adrenal glands, and it plays a key role in managing the body’s stress response4. Laughter can make you feel more relaxed and triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good chemical. Endorphins promote an overall sense of wellbeing and temporarily relieve pain5.
3. Laughter helps you relax and recharge
A good laugh can relieve physical tension and reduce stress in the body for up to 45 minutes, helping you feel more at ease both mentally and physically5.
4. Laughter supports overall health
Laughter isn’t just uplifting, it boosts heart health, strengthens the immune system, and supports both physical and mental health6.
5. Laughter reduces isolation
Laughter encourages connection and humour; both promote long-term emotional resilience and better mental health5.
Laughter and Mental Health
Laughter is often seen as a byproduct of happiness, but it can also be a pathway leading towards it. It’s important to recognise laughter as a coping mechanism that helps our overall wellbeing and mental health.
However, while laughter can bring many positive changes—lightening our mood, reducing stress, and helping us feel connected—it’s equally important to acknowledge its limitations. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are complex and require more than just moments of joy to manage them. These conditions can present differently between individuals, and some may need more comprehensive support such as coaching, therapy and meditation.
Recognising the healing power of laughter doesn’t mean we overlook the seriousness of these conditions. Instead, it reminds us that every small moment of joy, including laughter, is a step towards building emotional resilience.
Living with recurrent depression?
Depression can be a daily struggle; at MAC we understand how hard it can be.
Up to half of adults with depression don’t get better with the current standard of care / current treatments that are available7.
MAC Clinical Research is currently seeking participants who have recurrent depression and would like to take part in a new study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an investigational medicine. You may receive up to £2,750 for taking part in this study. Find out more via our depression research page.
- Meier, M (2021) – Laughter yoga reduces the cortisol response to acute stress in healthy individuals
- Akembekov, N and Razzaque, M (2021) – Laughter therapy: A humor-induced hormonal intervention to reduce stress and anxiety
- HelpGuide – Laughter is the Best Medicine
- Cleveland Clinic – Cortisol
- Hajar, R (2023) – Laughter in Medicine
- Action Mental Health – How having a laugh can boost our wellbeing
- NHS England – NHS welcomes record high recovery rate for common mental illness
