Author: Dr. Jennifer K. Renshaw, OTD, OTR/L, OTA/L

There are many words for laughter: chuckling, giggling, snickering, hooting, hollering, and howling. But is laughter really the best medicine?  Whether you are a person living with lung cancer or a caregiver, laughter may be a resource to consider. According to an article published by the American Journal of Medicine in 2016, the answer to that question is a resounding, “YES!” Laughter can act as a mental prescription for positive health and well-being.

Less stress, improved well-being

When you laugh, you take in more oxygen to your body. This positively affects your organs and stimulates hormones in your brain called endorphins. When endorphins are released, your body relaxes, your mood improves, and stress reduces. In addition, increasing oxygen to your brain sharpens alertness, focus, and the ability to think clearly.

When you laugh, your muscles tense and relax over and over again. This cycle helps your body achieve a more peaceful state by increasing circulation. This can also lead to better sleep and overall well-being when working through stress.

Giving into negative thoughts and emotions creates more stress for the body to process. When you are stressed, a hormone called “cortisol” is released. Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone” can decrease immune-system responses. Replacing negative thoughts with happiness and laughter can increase neuropeptides that help your immune system respond to stress in a healthier way. Laughter can also increase beta-endorphins, the “feel-good” chemicals in your body that can help decrease pain.

Finding your laugh again

Life can be hard, and some days you may find it difficult to think about cracking a smile, let alone belly laugh. During the more difficult times, having resources such as the ones listed below can help you to find joy and well-being through laughter.

  • If you have children in your life, ask them to explain something to you and listen to their honest answer. Some prompts may include:
    1. What would you do if you had six arms?
    2. When do you stop being a kid?
    3. What is the best thing about being a grown-up?
    4. Who is the boss in your family?
    5. What makes people laugh?
  • See where autocorrect takes you on your phone. When sending a text to friends and family who will not be offended, leave autocorrect alone and let it bring on the laughter. Years ago, a dear friend sent an e-mail that accidentally ended with “Tank you” instead of “Thank you.” A simple mishap in typing led to a howling, snorting episode of laughter we are still laughing about today!
  • Play a fun game with friends and family, like Mad Libs, What Do You Meme?, Speak Out, and Say Anything Family.
  • Listen to funny podcasts or watch TikTok or YouTube videos that make you laugh (bad lip-reading videos 😊).
  • Explore websites that act as a hub for all things laughter and encourage daily doses through helpful resources.
  • Consider a subscription to your favorite comic strip.
  • Enjoy light-hearted comedies and sitcoms that bring you joy. Sometimes, it is fun to watch movies or sitcoms from different eras. The clothing, hairstyles, and make-up choices always make me giggle, in addition to common phrases used in the past. Google search “hilarious sitcoms” for new ideas.
  • Check out Laughter Yoga International. Whether you are a participant or an observer, the videos are fun to watch.
  • Surround yourself with funny people who will laugh with you!

Laughter is personal; we all have different triggers that can produce a good belly laugh. For example, I get tickled at the silliest things in serious settings when it is inappropriate to laugh, like during church services. For others, watching funny animal videos or TV spoofs might tickle your fancy. Regardless, you may have to start laughter therapy with an intentional mindset of making it part of your daily routine. When you find your laughter, I encourage you to reflect on how it makes you feel. Bring others into your laughter zone and surround yourself with the joy your body craves for optimal well-being.

If you would like to learn more about laughter therapy and wellness activities for optimal living, connect with your healthcare team or an occupational therapist for ideas to address your specific needs.

About the Author: Dr. Jennifer K. Renshaw, OTD, OTR/L, OTA/L

Dr. Renshaw is the director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Cape Fear Community College. She has been an occupational therapy practitioner for 23 years in coastal North Carolina. Her passion for wellness writing comes from a desire to help people do what they love while living through each season in life’s journey. Dr. Renshaw spends her leisure time searching the beach for treasures, porch swinging with a glass of iced tea, traveling, snuggling pets, and spending time with family.