Laughter is often referred to as the best medicine, and for good reason. It brings people together and helps to strengthen connections. But beyond its social advantages, laughter has many effects on our physical and mental health. Read on to find out what makes people in our community laugh, the benefits of laughter and how we can encourage a bit of a giggle. Even when we really don’t feel like it.
“Laughter is the best medicine and it’s free!” - a carer from our community
But when we are caring for a family member, friend or neighbour, those moments of laughter can feel far too few and far between.
We asked carers about their relationship with laughter. Despite over 87% sharing that they felt better after laughing, over 60% said they only remember laughing a couple of times a week, or less, during the last month. With over 10% sharing they don’t recall laughing at all. If only 11% of us are laughing many times a day, it would seem we are a far way off the average of 15 times that the NHS shared for most adults.
We know that there are a lot of reasons that those caring for a family member or friend will have less opportunity to experience joy or humour than those who are not. But it can still be helpful to remember why it is worth trying to find occasions to smile.
The benefits of laughter
Laughter and our physical health
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical. This burst of endorphins promotes an overall sense of well-being and can even help to relieve pain.
Laughter has benefits for our heart health. Regular laughter can strengthen our hearts and reduce the risk of heart disease.
When we laugh, our heart rate and blood pressure increases, followed by muscle relaxation and a decrease in blood pressure. This process is like a mini-workout not just for our bodies, but for our hearts too.
Laughter also plays a crucial role in strengthening our immune system, and decreases our levels of cortisol - which comes from stress and can make us sick. Our ability to avoid getting sick, or to recover faster when we do, is vital to enable us to keep up with the demands of looking after someone.
Don’t just take our word for it
Along with the above, Liliana DeLeo discusses further health benefits of laughter such as decreasing dementia, better lung capacity, and even living longer in this fascinating ten minute TED Talk.
DeLeo also explains that science has shown that even if our laughter is simulated, the benefits are the same. This is where ‘laughter practice’ or ‘laughter yoga’ can come in. And we might find that some days it turns into genuine laughter. If you’re short on time, skip to eight minutes in for some simple exercises to try at home.
Laughter and our mental health
Mental health also significantly benefits from laughing more often. Laughing reduces stress and tension, easing symptoms of anxiety and depression. When we laugh, our body reduces the levels of stress chemicals. This can not only improve our mood, but also help us to feel more alert and capable of problem-solving. So next time we need a nap but don’t have time, we could try coaxing out a belly laugh instead and see how we feel!
Laughter and relationships
Laughter can also be a great way to strengthen relationships with the people in our lives.
Sharing a good laugh can improve intimacy, making it easier to resolve conflict and get through hard times.
“The journey through Mum's dementia is bittersweet but sometimes she does or says something in such a way that we can't do anything but belly laugh. I think we've done more laughing together in the past five months than we have possibly ever. There's a beauty in someone losing their inhibitions, or their ability to communicate in the way they always have. And an honour in being the person on the other side of that who can hold them through that new reality with respect and dignity, and ensure they feel safe and loved. It's so very special the laughing Mum and I have done lately.”
Things that have made carers laugh
Here are some of the things that have been making people in our community laugh. Sometimes it is finding humour in the darker things. The ‘laugh or we’ll cry’ times. Reading through the list are there any that apply to our lives that we could create more time for? Or even look for the mental space to enjoy them more and see if laughter can grow? If laughter feels so far away from how we feel now, we could start smaller with 30 things carers have shared that can help us to feel great.
Family relationships
"My children can be unintentionally hilarious."
"My husband, who is totally blind and paralysed on one side, wanted to dress himself. He called me when he'd finished and we both laughed - one arm was through the neck of his t-shirt, and his head through an armhole. We laughed at the mess he was in and I pointed out the t-shirt was back to front as well. To which he replied, “I've done very well if I'm only backwards”."
"My granddaughter is two and always makes me laugh with her observations of the world!"
Animals antics
"My cocker spaniel getting into a bucket of water was hilarious."
"Cat videos on Instagram always make me laugh."
"Our pets make me laugh. They are so spontaneous."
Time with friends
"Watching a funny film with friends."
"I met some old friends at the weekend and we had such a laugh chatting over events that have happened since we last met."
"Having fun conversations and coffee with our friends who popped by.""I went with a friend to watch a comedian. I’ve not laughed that hard in a long time. Or felt as light as I did afterwards."
If you don’t laugh you’ll cry
"Trying to follow instructions for cake decorating - got it all wrong."
"When the bus went the wrong way a week or so ago, it ought to have turned right but kept going."
"My husband who is in hospital told me they took him to a big party before taking him to his ward. Heaven knows what they’d given him for pain relief."
Final thoughts - Embracing laughter when we can
Amongst the stress, monotony, and business of life when looking after someone, it can be hard to find these moments of laughter. But it’s so important to try and create space for it. Even if it’s just us fake laughing on our own, or with the person we care for, and see if the laughter starts to flow.
Laughter can be a powerful tool for improving our physical, mental, and emotional health. Whether it's sharing a funny story with a friend, trying out laughter yoga practice, watching a comedy show, or watching the shenanigans of the little ones or pets in our lives. Finding ways to laugh each day can make a real difference to our well-being. While we can’t control our situation, we could think about what we can change to invite more laughter in.
If we do one thing for ourselves today it could be this 10 minute laughter yoga practice with Bianca Spears. If you enjoy these there are loads more to try on her YouTube channel.
If you enjoy these there are loads more to try on her YouTube channel.
Or if we fancy something shorter and a bit less structured we can smile or laugh along for two minutes with Steven Washington Experience.
So, let's make a conscious effort to carve out time for moments of humour, and to share those with each other! Embrace silliness. And laugh loud when it comes. Not only will you feel better, but you'll also be spreading a little more happiness in the world.
Do you have a funny story to tell? Head over to our Mobilise Hub and share it with our community of unpaid carers. Or if you’ve given laughter yoga a go - let other carers know how you found it!