Humor Therapy for Stress

Laughter is an excellent natural stress reducer and mood enhancer. Amongst other scientifically-proven positive benefits, it can reduce levels of the stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine; activate “feel-good” endorphins; positively impact dopamine and serotonin activity; decrease blood pressure and heart rate; stimulate and boost the immune system (including increasing production of “natural killer” immune cells); reduce perceptions of pain; and generally elevate one’s psychological mood and physiological well-being. Laughter can basically help reverse the stress response. It is so impactful that one minute of laughter enhances immunity for 24 hours. 

You’ve undoubtedly experienced the euphoria-like feeling of an incredible laughter session with friends. Interestingly, you don’t need spontaneous/authentic laughter to reap the incredible benefits of laughing, even “forced” laughter - like in laughing yoga classes - is effective. 

Although laughter has scientifically-proven benefits, you just know it’s good for you. I think laughter is hugely underrated. I have experienced so many memorable almost hysterical bouts of laughter post-stressful times (like when I would go on vacation after finishing law school finals) or when I would go on a trip with girlfriends after one of my divorces. No prescribed pill can hold a candle to “laughter therapy”; it provides such an incredible actual “release” of the stress, instead of just causing a more or less numbing situation.

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of my favorite books is “Anatomy of an Illness” by Norman Cousins, who successfully overcame a mysterious illness naturally, including by using laughter therapeutically. It’s a real testament to “mind over matter”. Getting together with friends or family for a night of laughter (whether just socializing or maybe watching stand up comedy tv or going to a comedy club, etc.) is an excellent way to boost your levels of the bonding hormone, oxytocin, as well as mood-boosting dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.

If you’re interested in delving further into how destructive chronic stress is (physiologically and psychologically) and evidence-based ways to address it, you can read about it in my book, “Release Yourself: 52 Proven Ways to Conquer Stress.” Available @ https://amzn.to/43ejV21