The Science of Laughter: Why Cracking Up is Seriously Good for You

They say laughter is the best medicine—and science agrees. Whether it's a spontaneous giggle, a deep belly laugh, or that weird snort you make when you’re caught off guard, laughter is one of the most powerful, underrated tools we have to boost our health, connect with others, and just feel more… human. 🌞

Let’s break down why laughter isn’t just good—it’s essential, and how embracing joy in your daily life (even in little ways) can have a ripple effect on your well-being.

 

 

Laughter by the Numbers

Let’s start with some fun (and fascinating) stats:

• Laughter burns calories — According to a Vanderbilt University study, 10–15 minutes of laughter a day can burn up to 40 calories. It’s not a substitute for a workout, but hey, it’s something!

• Children laugh up to 300 times a day, while adults average only 17 times daily. Somewhere between homework, jobs, and taxes, we forgot how to chuckle. Time to fix that!

• A study published found that laughter increases energy expenditure and heart rate, mimicking the effects of light physical activity.

• People with a strong sense of humor tend to live longer lives, even when facing illness. A 15-year Norwegian study found that those with high humor scores had a 30% better survival rate among patients with severe diseases.

 

The Brain on Laughter

When you laugh, your brain lights up like a firework display. Dopamine and serotonin (those feel-good neurotransmitters) flood your system, lowering stress levels and making you feel relaxed and happy.

Laughter also reduces cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, which in turn boosts your immune system. One UCLA study even showed that watching funny videos before surgery could improve recovery outcomes. (So maybe swap the medical dramas for some stand-up comedy?)

 

Laughter Bonds Us

There’s something magical about laughing with someone else. Whether it’s inside jokes with your best friend or a spontaneous shared laugh with a stranger in line at the grocery store, laughter creates connection.

Social laughter releases endorphins, our body’s natural painkillers, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. It’s like our brains saying, “I trust you, let’s be friends.” Pretty neat.

Laughter also breaks down walls. It levels the playing field. It makes hard conversations softer and awkward moments memorable. And in a world that can feel divided and heavy, that’s a superpower worth nurturing.

 

How to Laugh More (Yes, You Can Train It)

Believe it or not, you can bring more laughter into your life intentionally. Here’s how:

• Seek out humor: Follow creators and accounts that make you smile. Bookmark funny videos. Rewatch that sitcom you’ve seen a dozen times if it still cracks you up.

• Surround yourself with funny people: Laughter is contagious. Find your “funny friend” and let the silliness flow.

• Laugh yoga is a real thing. Yes, it feels weird at first. Yes, it works. Just five minutes of intentional laughter—even forced—can lead to real giggles and a mood boost.

• Get playful: Play with your pets, sing in the car, try a silly dance move. Children laugh so much because they play. Reconnect with that joy.

 

Laughter & the Luverly Life

At Luverly, we believe that joy, connection, and peace come from those tiny daily moments—like a full-hearted laugh at something silly. Our Goodness Collection was made with exactly that spirit in mind: soft, cozy, wearable reminders to smile more, love deeper, and live lightly.

Laughter isn’t frivolous. It’s foundational. It heals, it connects, and it makes this wild ride a little lighter.

 

So, what’s next?

This week, we challenge you to laugh a little more—on purpose. Text a friend a dumb meme. Watch that goofy video (again). Be the first to laugh at your own joke. Life doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.

And if you want to carry a little joy around with you, check out our Goodness Collection — full of cheerful pieces designed to spread love and laughter wherever you go.

Stay light. Stay lovely. And don’t forget to laugh today. 💛

With love and giggles,
Yours Luverly