Laughter Therapy 101: Why Giggles Are the Gym for Your Brain

The World has forgotten how to Laugh

Let’s face it. Most adults treat laughter like a rare weekend luxury.

Ask yourself:

• Did you laugh today?
• Did you smile while reading emails? (That do not include pizza coupons?)
• Did you even notice your face muscles today?

Surveys show that the average child laughs around 300 times a day, while the average adult laughs only 15 times. That’s a tragedy especially since adults are the ones paying bills and dealing with traffic.

The Science of Laughing: Your Brain’s natural reset button

Laughter is not just a reaction; it is a chemical event.

When you laugh:

• Your brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone
• Endorphins flood your system (yes, the same ones from chocolate and workouts)
• Cortisol (stress hormone) takes a back seat

Simply put: Laughing resets your mood like Ctrl + Alt + Delete for your emotions.

Laughter as Therapy: Yes, it’s a Real Thing!

Ever heard of laughter yoga? Or clown therapy for children in hospitals?

That’s because laughter actually:

• Boosts immunity
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves oxygen flow to the brain
• Builds emotional resilience

Even fake laughter (yep, the awkward forced one) can trick your brain into feeling better.

So next time you are down? Try laughing like a villain from a cartoon. Your brain won’t know the difference.

Laugh with your Kids, not just at their spelling mistakes

Children are naturally silly. But somewhere along the way, we tell them to “behave,” “grow up,” or worse, “stop laughing so loudly.”

It can be translated as: “Please suppress your most natural stress relief system.”

Instead:

• Have laugh battles at home
• Watch funny movies together
• Play ridiculous games (charades with emotions is a riot)
• Celebrate silliness

You are not just bonding.  You are building emotionally strong humans.

The Real danger of a Laughter-Deficient Life

Not laughing regularly can lead to:

• Chronic stress
• Irritability
• Disconnection from people
• Taking life (and yourself) too seriously

And if you cannot remember the last time, you laughed out loud? That is a red flag, my friend.

Remember, you deserve joy, not just “weekend joy” or “vacation joy,” but tiny bits of daily laughter. 

Easy ways to add Laughter to your day

• Subscribe to a clean joke-of-the-day newsletter
• Follow comedians who make you giggle, not groan
• Watch bloopers instead of news first thing in the morning
• Say “yes” to more fun
• Call that one friend who snorts when they laugh

Make it your emotional vitamin. One giggle a day keeps the meltdown away.

Laugh like your Brain depends on it because it Does

Laughter is not about being immature. It is about being mentally well.

It helps you cope with stress.

It makes you a joy to be around.

It sets the tone for your kids’ emotional future.

So go ahead and laugh at yourself, your partner, your burnt toast, or your toddler’s attempt to spell “hippopotamus.” Let your home echo with giggles.

Your brain and your family will thank you.