Finding Humour in Healing
Laughter is one of the most profound ways to connect and bond with others, but surprisingly the benefits of laughter can also be extended to therapy sessions! Alongside anguish, confrontation, insight, reflection, and processing, laughter is also a cornerstone of therapeutic support that is surprisingly beneficial for both clients and therapists alike. Humour and laughter sometimes emerge unexpectedly during even the most difficult of conversations, which although may feel uncomfortable at first, is often a telltale sign that there are small improvements being made within.
Many individuals who haven’t attended therapy before may believe that therapy can be very cold or clinical, however, in the eyes of many therapists, laughter and genuine connection are immensely beneficial in the therapy space. As the saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine” (which, of course, should be taken with a grain of salt), the saying truly uncovers the plethora of benefits that laughter can have on both the mind and body. Laughter has been shown to strengthen the immune system, boost mood, diminish pain, and protect us from the damaging effects of stress. Laughter and humour also help to lighten the burden, inspire hope, keep us grounded, and connect us to others.
As adults, life becomes more serious and laughter often becomes more infrequent, but by seeking out opportunities for humour and fun, there are vast benefits, including:
Laughter relaxes the whole body – a genuine laugh can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after
Laughter boosts the immune system – laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, which improves resistance to diseases
Laughter protects the heart – laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect against cardiovascular problems
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins – endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can temporarily relieve physical pain What are the social, mental, and physical benefits of laughter? Believe it or not, there are many!
Laughter does not only lighten the mental toll of our stress and daily routines, but it has also been shown to promote social, physical, and mental benefits, which include:
The physical benefits of laughter:
1. Boosts immunity
2. Lowers stress hormones
3. Decreases pain
4. Relaxes your muscles
5. Prevents heart disease
The mental health benefits of laughter:
1. Reinvites joy back
2. Eases anxiety and tension
3. Relieves stress
4. Improves mood
5. Strengthens resilience
The social benefits of laughter:
1. Strengthens relationships
2. Attracts others to us
3. Enhances teamwork
4. Helps defuse conflict
5. Promotes bonding
Laughter makes us feel good, and more often than not, that positive feeling stays with us far after the humour subsides. Humour helps us to keep a positive and optimistic outlook throughout difficult situations, disappointments, and losses. One of the most impactful benefits of laughter is that it gives us the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope even in the most difficult times, as even a bit of laughter can go a long way.
Laughter also provides the opportunity for a shift in perspective which allows us to see situations in a more realistic, and less threatening way. How do I create more opportunities to laugh? Some ideas for bringing in more humour are:
1. Watching a funny movie, TV show, or YouTube video
2. Sharing a good joke or funny story
3. Host a game night with friends or family
4. Make time for fun activities (bowling, mini golf, karaoke, the choice is yours!)
So how does laughter connect to therapy? Laughter in the therapeutic context is quite misunderstood and undervalued as a healing and cathartic process. Laughter is a physical process that allows us to release emotional pain and other triggers including stress, anxiety, and tension. Laughter does not minimize or take away our problems, but it allows us to release the emotions that are behind the painful experiences or stress so that we may begin to process and relate to the facts. A 2021 study explained that laughter therapy showed many benefits to psychological and social behaviours that ultimately work to improve our overall quality of life. From a scientific standpoint, laughter can mitigate the adverse consequences of stress and can reduce depression by releasing neurotransmitters that minimizes short-term and long-term stress. Laughter is the purest and most genuine form of communication that expresses our true desires and intentions. With laughter, we are given the opportunity to be authentically us, despite the challenges or obstacles that we may be facing. To me, laughter is one of the most human aspects of connection, and I greatly value shared laughter during our most “human moments” in therapy.
Learn more here:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8496883/
https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/the-benefits-of-laughter/
https://laughtertherapy.com/publications/articles/the