Why Laughter Is Underrated Medicine

Not all forms of wellness look serious.

Think about the last time you laughed so hard you had to catch your breath. Your shoulders dropped. Your breathing changed. For a moment, whatever felt heavy loosened.

We optimize sleep. We measure steps. We track hydration.

But we rarely think about the health benefits of laughter.

And yet laughter may be one of the simplest ways to support both mental and physical health. No wearable required.

Why Laughter Is Good for Your Health

Laughter has an immediate effect on the body. Your breathing deepens. Muscles that were quietly bracing begin to soften. Circulation increases. Stress that built up throughout the day starts to ease.

The Mayo Clinic notes that laughter can activate the body’s natural stress relief response and relieve physical tension.

Mentally, laughter interrupts spiraling thoughts. It shifts attention. It creates a break in pressure. Even a brief laugh can feel like a reset.

You do not feel the chemistry happening. You just feel lighter.

Laughter Is Contagious

Laughter spreads quickly.

When one person laughs, others instinctively follow. Shared laughter signals safety and connection. It strengthens bonds and creates shared memory.

It is one of the few health habits that benefits you and the people around you at the same time.

And sometimes the effect lasts far longer than the moment itself.

The Laughter That Stays With You

Have you ever remembered something from years ago and instantly started laughing again?

Not a polite smile. Not a quiet exhale.

The kind of memory that hits at 2am and suddenly you are trying not to wake the person next to you.

Maybe it was a friend mispronouncing a word. Your sister sliding into first base during a softball game with absolute confidence and absolutely no coordination. A moment that was ridiculous and unforgettable at the same time.

Even now, thinking about it can bring the same response. Your eyes water. You have to catch your breath.

That is not just nostalgia. It is your body remembering what ease feels like.

Some laughter fades. Some stays. And when it returns, it still works.

Make Room for It

We often treat laughter as optional. Something extra. Something indulgent.

But laughter supports stress relief, connection, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing. It provides contrast to intensity. It gives the body a signal of ease.

Health is not only about discipline. It is also about release.

Watch something that genuinely makes you laugh. Call someone who lightens you. Let yourself laugh louder than you think you should.

Small moments of joy create real shifts in mental and physical health.

Laugh. Laugh as much as you can and as often as you can. It will be good for you and those around you.

Journey Well
SEMKA