Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine: How Humor Boosts Mental Health

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine.” And while it might sound like a well-worn cliché, research shows there’s real truth behind the sentiment. Laughter doesn’t just lighten your mood in the moment, it delivers lasting benefits to your mental, emotional, and even physical health.

In a world where stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm are increasingly common, something as simple as laughter can be a powerful and accessible form of self-care. It doesn’t require fancy tools or a packed schedule, just an openness to joy, humor, and connection.

In this post, we’ll break down the science behind why laughter matters for mental health and offer five practical, feel-good strategies to bring more humor and lightness into your life and your teen’s.

The Science of Laughter and Mental Health

Laughter triggers a cascade of beneficial changes in the body and brain. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins and dopamine, neurochemicals responsible for feelings of happiness, pleasure, and reward. At the same time, levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, decrease, helping you feel calmer and more relaxed.

A 2017 review in The Journal of Neuroscience found that laughter activates regions in the brain associated with emotional regulation and social connection. Another study published in Psychological Reports noted that even the anticipation of laughter can lower stress hormone levels and boost immune functioning.

In addition to mood-boosting chemicals, laughter:

• Improves circulation and cardiovascular health
  
• Relaxes muscle tension
  
• Reduces physical symptoms of stress
  
• Enhances resilience and emotional flexibility
  

Put simply: laughter is a natural, no-cost intervention that supports both mind and body.

Laughter Builds Connection and Emotional Safety

Beyond biology, laughter is also deeply relational. It helps us bond, disarm conflict, and connect authentically. When we laugh with someone, we’re co-regulating our nervous systems, sharing a moment of safety, ease, and togetherness.

In families, this is especially important. Shared humor creates a buffer against stress and provides emotional relief in tense moments. For teens navigating academic pressure, social dynamics, or mental health challenges, a well-timed joke or lighthearted exchange can be a lifeline, a reminder that joy still exists, even in hard times.

As Maya Angelou said, “I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.” There’s wisdom in that. Laughter signals openness, safety, and humanity. It reminds us that we are not just our struggles, and that humor can live alongside grief, anxiety, or fear.

5 Tangible Ways to Invite More Laughter into Your Life

You don’t need to be a stand-up comedian to bring more humor into your home. Here are five accessible strategies to make laughter a regular part of your mental health toolkit:

1. Watch (or Rewatch) Something That Makes You Laugh

We all have that one show, movie, or viral video that never fails to crack us up. Revisit it! Laughter is cumulative, if you know something will make you smile, you’re already more primed to feel joy.

Pro tip: Try creating a “feel-good favorites” playlist with your teen. Include clips, memes, or shows that make each of you laugh and return to it during stressful moments.

2. Swap Serious for Silly, On Purpose

Not every moment needs to be deep or productive. Play a goofy game, wear a ridiculous hat during dinner, or invent a new inside joke with your family. These small moments of silliness can defuse tension and nurture emotional connection.

Research in The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine suggests that cultivating positive emotions through play and laughter significantly lowers psychological distress, especially in adolescents.

3. Laugh at Yourself (Gently)

Self-deprecating humor can be healthy when used with kindness and balance. Laughing at a minor mishap or poking fun at your own quirks signals self-acceptance and resilience. It also helps your teen learn to embrace imperfections with grace.

Modeling this as a parent shows that it’s okay to be human, make mistakes, and laugh them off.

4. Seek Out Laughter in Community

Laughter is contagious, and that’s a good thing. Attend a comedy show, join a book club that shares humorous stories, or schedule a game night with friends. These communal experiences can reignite laughter and deepen your sense of belonging.

For teens especially, peer connection through humor can reduce feelings of isolation and boost self-esteem. Shared laughter becomes a social glue.

5. Start a "Laughter Log"

Just like gratitude journals, a laughter log is a simple way to capture joyful moments. At the end of each day, jot down something funny that happened, no matter how small. Over time, you’ll build a library of levity to look back on.

This practice helps train your brain to notice the humor around you, even during difficult times.

Try Our Free Laugh Log

Ready to take your laughter practice a step further? We’ve created a simple Laugh Log you can download and use at home. This printable tool helps you actively notice, capture, and reflect on moments that make you smile, giggle, or belly-laugh and how those moments make you feel.

Whether you fill it out daily or just once a week, the Laugh Log is a gentle reminder that even on tough days, there’s lightness to be found. It’s a fun, meaningful way to build resilience, nurture joy, and share more smiles with the people you love.

Click here to get your Laugh Log now! 

Final Thoughts

In a world that can feel heavy, laughter helps us carry the weight with more ease. It grounds us, connects us, and gives us access to joy, even when joy feels far away.

So the next time you or your teen find yourselves overwhelmed, look for a small spark of humor. Watch a silly video. Tell a bad pun. Smile at the absurdity of life. These micro-moments matter.

At Simply Bee, we believe that mental health care can include both depth and delight. We incorporate creativity, emotional expression, and even laughter into our therapeutic approach, because healing doesn’t have to be serious all the time.