Is Laughing Connected to Longevity?

Laughter is one of life's simplest joys, yet as we get older, it we don’t do it much anymore.. As kids we laugh a lot—just watch a 4-year-old - they laugh around 300 times a day. 

By 23 most of us feel the weight of independence and the sense that to be successful, we have to start taking ourselves a lot more seriously. So we stop laughing.

By age 40, we laugh, on average, just four times a day. It seems like this is part of growing up - but are there some unintended consequences for our health and longevity when we stop having fun?

Let’s explore the connection between laughter and longevity, unpacking the science behind laughter's benefits and offering practical tips for bringing more humor into your life. 

After all, laughter truly is "medicine to the soul."

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The Benefits of Laughter on Health

Long considered nature’s best medicine, laughter has real science to back up this claim. When you laugh, your body experiences a cascade of positive effects that improve both your mental and physical well-being.

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Boosts Mood and Lowers Stress

First - laughter stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's feel-good hormones. These natural chemicals not only boost your mood but also help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In fact, just one bout of laughing (real laughing, not some fake chuckle) lowers our cortisol by 36.7%. 

So taking a beat to stop and laugh (even if it’s at yourself) is a real way to manage daily stressors and break the craziness of our lives.

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Enhances Immune Function

But it’s not just stress - laughing can actually strengthen your immune system. It increases the production of antibodies and activates immune cells called T-cells, which help your body fight off infections. 

In fact, studies have shown that people who laugh more frequently tend to get sick less often.

A 2001 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that laughter increased the production of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that serves as the first line of defense against respiratory infections. 

Similarly, a 2006 study in Psychosomatic Medicine linked humor-induced laughter to improved natural killer cell activity, suggesting a stronger immune response.

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Laughter as a Pain Management Tool

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In addition to mood-boosting effects, laughter has been shown to increase the body's tolerance for pain. It activates natural painkillers like serotonin, helping to ease discomfort. 

This has been particularly beneficial for patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, where laughter is used as part of holistic cancer care. 

In places like the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, patients participate in "laughter yoga" or humor therapy sessions designed to alleviate stress, reduce pain, and improve emotional well-being.

One inspiring example is Patch Adams, the physician whose use of humor with patients became the foundation for the movie of the same name. His approach has been adopted in programs worldwide, including Clown Care Units in hospitals where trained performers use laughter to help children cope with serious illnesses.

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Is Laughing Connected to Longevity?

With all that, does laughing help you live longer? Research suggests that it just might.

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Longevity Studies on Laughter

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A 5-year study in Japan, involving 17,000 participants over the age of 40, revealed that people who laughed less than once a month had a significantly higher risk of death compared to those who laughed at least once a week. 

‍Another study from Norway followed 53,000 people for 15 years and found that those with a strong sense of humor lived up to eight years longer than their more serious counterparts.

Now to be clear - this is correlation, not causation. Those people might have a lot more to laugh about in their life and that’s part of the resulting longevity. 

But regardless, we can affect what life throws at us - most of our mental stress isn’t from the stimulus, but in how we respond to that stimulus. 

The more we laugh, the more likely we are to take on other healthy habits and mindsets, like lower stress levels, greater social interaction, and a more positive outlook on life—all factors that contribute to a longer, healthier life.

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Laughing is a Muscle—Use It or Lose It

Just like physical exercise, laughter is a muscle that needs to be worked. If we don’t practice laughing regularly, we might find ourselves smiling less and feeling more weighed down by life’s challenges. 

But the good news is that, just like any skill, you can strengthen your sense of humor with practice.

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How to Make Laughter a Priority in Your Busy Life

You might be thinking, "I barely have time to work out, how am I supposed to prioritize laughter?" The truth is, adding humor into your daily life doesn’t need to be time-consuming. Here are some simple ways to start:

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Seek Out Humor in Everyday Situations

Whether it's a funny podcast, a favorite comedy show, or a humorous book, take a few moments each day to find something that makes you laugh. Even silly moments with friends or family can create opportunities for laughter. The key is to not hold back - when you feel like laughing, then let it out. Then will happen more often.

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Practice Smiling

It might sound strange, but simply smiling more often can help you tap into a more joyful mindset. Studies show that the act of smiling, even when forced, can trigger your brain to feel happier. 

Try smiling at yourself in the mirror or while walking down the street—you might be surprised at how it improves your mood.

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Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

It’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of adult life, but finding humor in stressful situations can provide some much-needed relief. 

Here’s how to shift your perspective and embrace a lighter attitude toward challenges:

1. Look for the Absurd: When something stressful happens, ask yourself, "Will this matter in a year? A month? A week?" This simple question can help you find the humor in situations that might feel overwhelming in the moment.
2. Surround Yourself with Humor: Follow comedians or humorists on social media, or subscribe to a daily joke email. Having a steady stream of light-hearted content can remind you not to take everything so seriously.
3. Play the "Worst-Case Scenario" Game: When you’re facing a tough situation, imagine the most ridiculous "worst-case scenario" you can. It often makes real-life challenges feel more manageable and less daunting.
4. Create Humor Habits: Integrate humor into your routine. Watch a funny show during your lunch break, share a joke with a friend, or read a lighthearted book before bed.

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Schedule Time for Fun

Just like you schedule meetings and workouts, set aside time to do something fun with friends or family. Whether it’s a game night or a movie marathon, making time for joy is just as important as any other responsibility on your to-do list. 

In other words, put it on the calendar! 

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Laughter Can Be Medicine to the Soul

Laughter might seem like a trivial part of life, but its impact on your health and longevity is profound. 

By making laughter a regular part of your life, not only will you feel better in the moment, but you could also add years to your life. 

So go ahead, find your funny, and let the laughter come out!