I recently started hanging out with an old friend from college with whom I reconnected after 20 years. Being with her reminded me that I used to be really funny. Or maybe she just laughs at everything I say, which makes me want to be funny. She has a great laugh, and the humor becomes contagious.
We go to church together, and while my musical husband plays on the worship team, I no longer have to sit alone. We have running jokes from service to service. Church humor. Who does that? And we really aren’t even irreverent—at least not in a disrespecting-the-King-of-the-Universe kind of way.
My experience reminded me just how powerful humor can be, not just for reconnecting with old friends but also for improving mental health overall.
It was perfect timing to reconnect with her because I just started a partnership with another really funny person. If I had started my partnership before I reconnected with my college friend, I would have been really out of practice. My new partner probably wouldn’t have wanted an unfunny partner.
Thankfully, humor is like riding a bike. It’s incredible how quick wit and one-liners come back to you.
Humor and Laughter are Good for Your Mental Health
When trying to be funny, you don’t really have to focus on making a point. The point is just to make the other person laugh.
But it’s usually good to have a point in a counseling blog. So, I promise there is a point to this. I’m telling you all this not to be funny (because it isn’t) but to say that humor and laughter are good for your mental health.
The Benefits of Humor on Your Mental Health
Here are several serious, not humorous, benefits:
Releases Natural Feel-Good Chemicals
Laughter helps our brains release endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and it also reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This combination can improve mood, relieve pain, and boost the immune system, helping to combat stress and anxiety. Studies suggest that humor can also act as a healthy coping mechanism, enabling individuals to reframe stressful situations and gain a more balanced perspective. This can help reduce feelings of distress and increase resilience against life’s challenges [Jackson House, 2024; [Positive Psychology, 2024]. And as a bonus, it’s less expensive than other self-coping mechanisms.
Mindfulness
Humor helps you to be present in the moment. You can’t get a joke or pun if your mind is elsewhere. It keeps you on your toes and paying attention… especially if you want to one-up with a witty response. Or even if your response is just laughing. If your brain is processing what is happening to determine if you think it’s funny, you are present. Our physical response is often laughter—a direct, in-the-moment reaction to our brain’s conclusion of funny.
Replaces Worry
Laughter and worry are apparently mutually exclusive. When I am laughing and, point one, present, I am not worried about the rest of the crap happening in my life. I have successfully replaced worry with amusement and entertainment. That rests my nervous system from the anxiety, and even if the humorous moment passes, I am lighter and less anxious.
Entertains and Builds Connection
Humor and laughter are entertaining. Since there’s little on TV these days, it’s essential to have entertaining friends. It creates a bond.
It builds connection. Just laughing together melted away 20 years of separation from my college friend. We picked up right where we left off. And it’s bonding for new relationships, too… all relationships need some levity.
Eliminates Sadness and Promotes Belonging
Laughter and sadness seem mutually exclusive too. I’ve heard the clichés “I laughed until I cried” and “If I didn’t laugh about this, I’d cry.” But generally, a lot of laughter is an excellent cure for sadness and loneliness, especially inside jokes. You can’t feel lonely amid an inside joke with someone.
I haven’t done the research on this, but I’m pretty sure humor must be a pre-dementia preventative intervention. If you’re really hanging out around funny, witty people, you must also be sharp to make a quick comeback. This interactive banter keeps your mind exercised and ready.
Humor in Counseling Interventions or DIY
Much research suggests that humor interventions may help reduce anxiety and depression. One example is laughter yoga. It’s a unique practice that combines intentional laughter with yogic breathing exercises (known as pranayama). It was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian physician, in 1995. The practice is based on the idea that the body cannot distinguish between fake and real laughter, so both provide the same physiological and psychological benefits.
There are other more accessible at-home remedies like an old episode of Seinfeld (you will surely laugh out loud) or more in line with my husband’s humor, a Far Side cartoon. My husband is more entertained by the fact that I never get the Far Side cartoon. If you ask me, they just aren’t funny, but I’m glad I am entertaining him and helping his mental health.
However, while humor can be a valuable therapeutic tool, it must be used carefully, especially in clinical settings. The subjective nature of humor means that what’s funny to one person might be offensive or distressing to another. Therefore, cultural sensitivity and awareness of individual differences are crucial when employing humor in therapy [Psychology Today, 2024].
Key Takeaways for Adding Humor into Your Self-Care
So, what’s the takeaway? You’re already on the right track if you’ve laughed or even cracked a grin while reading this. Humor isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a multi-tool for mental health. Whether reconnecting with an old friend, finding something to laugh about in unexpected places, or simply enjoying a witty comeback, humor keeps us present, less worried, and more connected.
So, how has humor helped you through life’s ups and downs? Let’s keep the conversation—and the laughter—going.
