When life and daily headlines are filled with uncertainty, division, and non-stop chaos, many people are finding themselves teetering on the edge of emotional and mental exhaustion. Stress has become a daily companion, anxiety levels have skyrocketed, and burnout is no longer limited to the workplace—it’s spilling into relationships, communities, and homes. With all this swirling around, there’s a remedy that’s free, accessible, and often overlooked: laughter.
The phrase “laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a clever saying—it’s rooted in science and ancient wisdom alike. Laughter triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain like endorphins and dopamine, relaxes the muscles, lowers stress hormones like cortisol, and even improves immune function. In essence, laughter doesn’t just change your mood—it changes your physiology.
But in today’s societal climate, finding reasons to laugh can feel like an uphill battle. Between political tension, economic struggles, and the 24-hour news cycle pumping out one crisis after another, many have forgotten what it feels like to just let go and laugh. That’s why consciously making room for humor in your daily life isn’t just helpful—it’s vital to overall wellness.
One of the simplest ways to inject more humor into your day is to surround yourself with people who don’t take life too seriously. Spend time with those who make you laugh without trying, the ones who can turn a spilled coffee into a comedy routine or find the absurdity in waiting an hour at the DMV. Humor is contagious, and laughter shared with others has even greater psychological benefits than laughing alone.
Watching a comedy show, stand-up special, or even scrolling through videos of pets causing chaos online can do wonders for your mental state. These small, intentional choices help break up the seriousness of the day and provide moments of lightness that your nervous system desperately needs.
Getting outdoors can also offer a surprisingly rich opportunity for laughter. Whether it’s people-watching in the park, slipping on your own shoelace, or seeing a squirrel do something weirdly human, nature often delivers unintentional comedy gold. It’s not about laughing at others—it’s about reconnecting with the playful spirit that still exists in the world around you, even when everything feels heavy.
Another way to bring more humor into your life is through storytelling. Think about those bizarre, embarrassing, or downright ridiculous moments from your past. Share them. Laugh at them. We all have at least one story that ends with, “You had to be there.” Telling and hearing these stories helps us remember that we’re not alone in our human awkwardness and that shared laughter creates bonds that no amount of small talk ever could.
Play is another underrated source of laughter for adults. Play charades with friends, join an improv class, chase your dog around the yard, or try a new dance trend from the internet. The goal isn’t to be good at it—it’s to loosen up, get silly, and rediscover that childlike joy that we too often bury beneath to-do lists and adult responsibilities.
Incorporating laughter into your life doesn’t mean ignoring the realities of the world. It means choosing to not let those realities harden your heart. It means protecting your joy like it’s a vital nutrient—because it is. You can be informed, aware, and still have a sense of humor. In fact, keeping your sense of humor may be the only way to stay sane amid it all.
So, while you could read a joke book (and hey, there’s no shame in that), you’ll likely find greater wellness by actively seeking the funny in the everyday. Laugh when your plans go sideways. Giggle when life gets absurd. And never underestimate the healing power of a good belly laugh when everything else seems too much to bear. Because in a world that feels like it’s spinning a little too fast, sometimes the best medicine truly is to laugh until your ribs ache—and then laugh a little more.
