Is Laughter Therapy Effective for Depression and Anxiety?

Can laughing help with anxiety and depression? Yes, it can. Laughter is widely considered as the best medicine, beneficial not just for physical well-being but also for mental health. It’s well-known that laughter releases endorphins, the 'feel good' hormones, into the body, bringing about a sense of happiness and sometimes euphoria.

The Power of Laughter

It's essential to remember that being around happy and positive individuals who can tell funny jokes or act in a way that brings joy can also positively impact our mental state. They are often kind and willing to listen to our troubles. Laughter doesn’t require a doctor’s appointment or a prescription; it’s free and can be expressed as often as needed.

How Laughter Affects the Brain

Laughter can be seen as a form of positive stimulus. When our brain makes us laugh, happy brain areas move the face, and this process can work in reverse. By stimulating brain happy areas with internal mantras or will, laughter can enhance the release of endorphins and reduce stress-inducing hormones in the body. This is similar to the way TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) works, using magnets to stimulate these areas for treatment of mental illness.

Benefits of Laughter Therapy

A good laugh or laughter therapy offers both short-term and long-term benefits. When you start laughing, it doesn’t just lighten your mental load but also induces physical changes in your body. When you laugh, it enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the release of endorphins by your brain. Additionally, it reduces stress-inducing hormones in the blood and can decrease a rapidly growing heart rate during stressful anxiety-inducing situations.

Strategies for Coping with Difficult Situations

Laughter can even help you cope with difficult situations and gain personal satisfaction. It helps you process emotions like sadness and anger with a positive outlook, and it improves your mood. A sense of humor, when used in the right situation, can provide a humorous perspective, helping you psychologically distance yourself from a situation and deal with it without getting overwhelmed.

Improving Relationships and Social Connections

Laughter also strengthens relationships, making people feel less lonely. Even if a person is not inherently happy, they can benefit from laughter therapy. Stimulated laughter, even if forced, can change the balance of hormones in the body and improve mood—beneficial for those dealing with depression.

I hope this helps. For further queries, feel free to book an appointment with us. Stay home and stay safe.