Advice for College Students, From a Wellness Center Intern
This article is part of a running series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center. This collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @rowanuwellness on social.
People always say that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing might just seem like a simple response to a funny joke, but it actually has positive effects on mental well-being. Laughter plays a significant role in boosting mental health by releasing endorphins, reducing stress hormones, and fostering social connections.
When a person laughs, their brain releases endorphins, a neurotransmitter that reduces stress and improves mood. Endorphins are made in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. The body releases chemicals in response to stress, pain, or other activities, like exercise and laughter (“Endorphins”). Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers because they block pain signals and create feelings of pleasure. This feel-good chemical creates a sense of happiness in times of stress. The resulting boost in mood helps a person feel more resilient and better equipped to handle challenging situations.
Laughter & Stress Response
Laughter also has an impact on reducing stress levels. Two key hormones involved in the body’s stress response are cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands when the body perceives a threat or stressful situation (“How Laughter Can Relieve Stress”). It plays an important role in regulating metabolism, controlling blood sugar levels, and managing the body’s fight-or-flight response. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated due to a lot of stress, it can lead to anxiety, fatigue, and weakened immune function.
Similarly, adrenaline is released in response to stress or excitement, increasing heart rate and boosting energy levels to prepare the body for action. While it is needed in moments of acute stress, too much adrenaline over time can leave a person feeling anxious (“Adrenaline”).
Laughter helps to lower the levels of both cortisol and adrenaline, effectively counteracting these physiological responses. By reducing these stress hormones, laughter encourages a more balanced and relaxed state of mind.
Socially, laughing can help people connect with others. When a group of people share a moment of laughter, they all experience a collective release of tension, which creates a sense of unity and belonging. This shared experience not only strengthens existing relationships but also helps create new connections. Laughter is a universal human behavior that breaks down barriers and encourages positive interactions, making it easier for people to feel comfortable and open in social settings.
How Humor Helps Well-being
Humor can enhance resilience and optimism by providing a different perspective on hardships. When people find humor in difficult or stressful situations, it allows them to step back and view their problems with a sense of detachment, which can make the hardships feel less overwhelming. It can also help people cope more effectively and maintain a positive outlook on matters. Laughter encourages a more light-hearted approach to solving problems, which can make them seem less daunting and more manageable.
One way to incorporate laughter into our lives is by watching comedy movies! Films like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Bridesmaids are designed to induce laughter and provide a feel-good experience. Watching a comedy movie can be a great way to escape from stress. The comedic elements in these movies not only entertain but also offer the physiological benefits of laughter, such as endorphin release and stress reduction.
While comedy movies can have positive effects on mental health, it is important to approach screen time with a balance. Excessive viewing can lead to increased sedentary behaviors and reduced face-to-face interactions, which can negatively affect overall well-being. To maximize the benefits of comedy movies, be mindful of how much time is being spent watching them. Consider setting a limit on screen time, and make time for activities that do not involve screens, such as outdoor activities, reading, or playing board games.
Laughter as a Tool for Wellness
Laughter is a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. By releasing endorphins, reducing stress hormones, and creating social interactions, laughter provides many benefits that contribute to mental well-being. Comedy movies, in particular, offer an accessible and enjoyable way to experience the positive effects of laughter. However, it is crucial to maintain a balanced approach to screen time and ensure that it complements other healthy practices. Having a good balance is the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, turn up the volume on a classic comedy and remember: laughter is the best medicine; the more people share it, the healthier they become!
Written By: Anmol Patel
Sources:
“Adrenaline.” You & Your Hormones, Society for Endocrinology,
https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/adrenaline/.
“Endorphins: What They Are and How to Boost Them.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 May 2024,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins.
“How Laughter Can Relieve Stress + Ideas to Laugh It Off.” University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 26 Nov. 2019, https://www.usa.edu/blog/how-laughter-can-relieve-stress/.