Laughter as a Tool for Healing

I’m sure you can think of times where you may have laughed so hard you cried, or your cheeks felt sore from smiling for so long. Maybe you remember the lightness you experienced in your body afterwards. Laughter is a powerful tool we all have available to us that can benefit our emotional and physical health. Laughter, like crying, allows us to release emotions and energy in a healthy way. When we laugh, it has been found that cortisol and epinephrine, two of the body’s stress hormones, are reduced, which can help decrease the intensity of anxiety symptoms. When I am feeling stuck in an endless to-do list or overwhelmed with situations outside of my control, calling a friend or watching a funny dog video can feel like the reset I need. Contemporary research from positive psychology has found a correlation between positive styles of humor and lower perceived stress (Lonczak, 2023). The categorization of positive styles of humor refers to self-enhancing humor meaning humor that does not put yourself down or minimize any struggles you may be facing, but rather allows a reframe and reprieve from negative thoughts. Using humor can help problems feel less daunting, reframing them as obstacles to overcome rather than permanent, impassable “roadblocks”. Along with reducing the level of stress hormones, humor can also increase the production of antibody producing cells, strengthening the immune system. The saying “laughter is the best medicine” is clearly onto something when we are aware of all the impacts it has on our body’s hormones and endorphins.

Laughter and Humor in Therapy

While there are times and places that humor may not always be viewed as “appropriate,” therapy sessions do not fall into that category. That’s right—you’re allowed to laugh in therapy! Humor is a healthy way of expressing ourselves and coping with things we cannot fully make sense of yet. It may even allow you to feel safer with your therapist as your relationship develops

and you begin to dig deeper into the challenges and difficulties you have been facing. This does not mean that you should feel pressured to “make light” of your situation or engage in self-deprecating rhetoric; when we rely too heavily on humor, it can interfere with the deeper work needed for healing. But, when used in small to moderate doses in therapy, humor can allow you to discuss what is troubling you in an accessible way, instead of covering up or suppressing the emotions you may be experiencing. In my experience facilitating groups for those in recovery from substance abuse, I witnessed greater connection and more vulnerable discussion when participants were able to laugh with each other. Laughter, like smiling, is a pro-social behavior that can strengthen your connections and comfort with others. I’d like to share a guided Laughing Meditation and invite you to try it. It may be uncomfortable to begin. The first time I participated in a laughter meditation, I remember feeling slightly embarrassed at first. But after the first few minutes, I couldn’t help but give in to the genuine laughter. I started with a forced laugh and deep breaths, and as I continued to force the laughter I started really laughing, and before I knew it everyone participating in the meditation was in tears from laughing so hard. This is a fun meditation to do with others, especially those you want to re-connect with. Laughing is contagious and brings us together. If you do participate in this meditation, try to bring awareness to the sensations you notice in your body before and after. Notice if you feel lighter or heavier, more relaxed or tense. There isn’t a wrong or right way to feel after this exercise. Of course, laughter and humor are not the answer to every problem, but they are beneficial tools to aid in the therapy and healing journey.

Sources:

Lonczak, H. S. (2023, April 6). Humor in psychology: Coping and laughing your woes away. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/humor-psychology/

Scott, E. (2020, March 7). How laughter can relieve stress and help your immune system. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-stress-management-and-health-benefits-of-laughter-3145084

YouTube. (2020). Laughing Meditation. YouTube. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqkaOE-2HR8.