Not long ago, I was sitting in a hospital corridor, waiting for routine tests. The air was heavy, the silence uncomfortable. Across from me, a grandmother and her grandson were scrolling through funny memes.
Within minutes, their laughter bubbled out, soft at first, then louder. Something strange happened: the entire waiting room seemed lighter. Even the nurses passing by cracked a smile.
I caught myself chuckling too, and suddenly my own anxiety felt a little smaller. That moment was a reminder of something science has been suggesting for years – humor doesn’t just lighten the mood, it may actually lengthen our lives.
“He who laughs, lasts.” – often attributed to Mary Pettibone Poole
Does Laughter Really Make You Live Longer? The Science of Humor and Longevity
Remember that saying Laughter is the best medicine? It looks like there is something there!
Researchers in Norway studied more than 50,000 people over 15 years and found that women with a strong sense of humor had a lower risk of dying from heart disease and infections, while men showed lower mortality from infections. The conclusion? A sense of humor might act like a “cognitive coping resource” that helps protect health.
Another study from the same cohort showed similar results over a 7-year period: people with a good sense of humor were less likely to die prematurely, especially before age 65.
Now, these studies can’t prove that cracking jokes directly adds years to your life. But they suggest that humor influences the very systems that affect longevity – the heart, the immune system, and the ability to bounce back from stress.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – commonly attributed to Charlie Chaplin
How Laughter Affects Your Heart, Stress, and Overall Health
Laughter burns calories, too – which is great news, because I’d rather laugh at a comedy than run on a treadmill.
Think of laughter as a full-body workout without the gym membership. When you laugh:
Endorphins kick in. Studies show that laughter boosts pain tolerance because it triggers the release of endorphins — the same “feel-good” chemicals we get from exercise or chocolate.
Stress hormones drop. A systematic review found that spontaneous laughter can lower cortisol, our main stress hormone. Less cortisol means less wear and tear on the body over time.
The heart gets a mini tune-up. Watching a comedy has been shown to improve vascular function, at least temporarily. That’s a fancy way of saying your blood vessels relax a little, which is exactly what you want for heart health.
Social bonds strengthen. Laughter is contagious, and not just metaphorically. When we laugh together, our brains release opioids that reinforce trust and bonding.
Put all that together, and humor starts to look less like a “nice-to-have” and more like a legitimate health tool: laughter → endorphins & social bonding, lower stress burden, possible vascular benefits → healthier aging.
Not All Humor Is Created Equal – What Type of Humor Is Best (and Worst) for Your Health?
Here’s where it gets interesting: researchers break humor into four main types. Some styles are good for your well-being, while others might be bad news.
Psychologist Rod Martin’s Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) breaks humor into four styles: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating. Later research links the first two to better mental health and relationships, while the latter two tend to correlate with poorer outcomes.
Some are the “good guys,” others are more like the villains in a sitcom — funny in the moment, but damaging over time.
The Good Guys
Affiliative humor
What it looks like: Using jokes to bond with others and ease tension.
Example: You’re all stuck in traffic on the way to a work meeting and someone says:
“Well, at least we’ll all be late together. Bonding exercise achieved!”
Everyone laughs, and suddenly the shared annoyance feels lighter.
Self-enhancing humor
What it looks like: Keeping a positive, funny perspective on life’s hassles.
Example: You spill coffee on your shirt right before a presentation and joke:
“Perfect! Now I look like I’m doing a performance art piece called ‘Caffeine & Chaos.’”
Instead of crumbling under stress, you frame it with humor and move forward.
The Bad Guys
Aggressive humor
What it looks like: Jokes that target or belittle others.
Example: In a group meeting, someone says:
“Nice idea, Bob… did your kid think of it for you?”
It gets a laugh from some, but it undercuts trust and makes Bob feel small. Over time, this kind of humor can erode relationships.
Self-defeating humor
What it looks like: Constantly making yourself the punchline just to be liked.
Example: You miss a deadline and tell your boss:
“What did you expect? I’m basically the office disaster mascot.”
It might get a chuckle, but over time, putting yourself down chips away at confidence and how others perceive you.
Daily Laughter Habits for a Longer, Healthier Life
So, how can you actually put this into practice? You don’t need to sign up for stand-up comedy school. Small, intentional choices work:
- Watch a comedy clip after a long day.
- Swap memes with a friend who “gets” your sense of humor.
- Reframe daily hassles: miss the bus? At least you didn’t have to awkwardly dodge that ex you saw at the stop.
- Try group activities like laughter yoga or humor therapy – which, yes, exist, and have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep in older adults.
- Humor works best when shared. In fact, studies suggest it’s the social laughter that gives the biggest health boost.
What I do:
- I joined some Facebook groups where I see memes and jokes
- I watch some stand-up shows (Youtube, Netflix)
- I watch comedies – Disney+, Netflix
- I buy some crosswords that reveal jokes.
A Few Jokes (Because Research Articles Shouldn’t Be Funnier Than Life)
Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
Doctor: “You need to stop laughing.” Patient: “Why?” Doctor: “Because I haven’t given you the bill yet.”
A sense of humor won’t solve all your problems… but neither will kale.
Laughter is like Wi-Fi: it works best when you share the connection.
I started a new exercise routine: every time I laugh, I count it as an ab workout.
If laughter adds years to your life, I should be immortal after reading dad jokes.
Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere!
The Bigger Picture: Humor and Other Longevity Pillars
Humor doesn’t work in isolation. Instead, it connects to other lifestyle factors we already know matter for health:
- Stress management: Laughing reframes problems, giving you a mental buffer against chronic stress.
- Sleep: People who engage in humor therapy report better sleep. A relaxed mind is a restful mind.
- Social life: Laughter builds bonds. Strong relationships are one of the clearest predictors of longer, healthier lives.
- Heart health: Frequent laughter correlates with lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
Humor is like the spice that makes the healthy habits you already know about – eating well, exercising, staying connected – a lot more enjoyable.
I am recommending you to read these articles too – for more ways that are EASY to implement and can make your life better (and longer):
A Note of Caution
Before you ditch your gym membership in favor of a Netflix comedy marathon, a few disclaimers:
- Most of the evidence is associational, not proof of cause and effect. People with good humor may simply have healthier personalities or stronger social ties to begin with.
- Humor doesn’t replace medical care. If you have heart disease, asthma, or other conditions, laughter is supportive, not curative.
- Not all humor is safe for relationships. Aggressive or self-defeating humor can backfire, causing stress and harm instead of relief.
- This article presents studies – but it is NOT medical advice.
- Timing matters. Intense comedy binges right before bed can be too stimulating for some; prefer earlier viewing if you notice sleep disruption.
FAQ
How many minutes of laughter a day is healthy?
Studies suggest even 10–15 minutes of laughter can reduce stress and improve vascular function.
Can laughter lower blood pressure?
Yes, some studies show laughter can improve blood vessel function and lower stress, which indirectly benefits blood pressure.
Does laughing count as exercise?
It won’t replace cardio, but laughing does burn calories and engages core muscles — think of it as a bonus ab workout.
Why is laughter called the best medicine?
Because it boosts endorphins, lowers stress hormones, strengthens social bonds, and supports immune function.
Wrapping It Up
Humor isn’t a magic bullet. But it may be one of the simplest, most enjoyable health habits you can cultivate. It helps regulate stress, strengthens your heart, connects you with others, and may even protect against early death.
If a pharmaceutical company bottled those benefits, it would sell for billions. Instead, it’s free, and it starts with a chuckle, a meme, or a joke shared with a friend.
So maybe Chaplin was right: a day without laughter is a day wasted. If living longer means laughing more, then the best prescription might be the punchline.
So, how do you add more laughter into your day? Share your funniest habit or joke in the comments – let’s spread some longevity together
Photo sources: 1, 2, 3
More amazing articles for you:
Please visit:
Our Sponsor