Ishita Roy

World Mental Health Day 2024: What Role Does Humour Play In Mental Well-being?

Humour In Mental Health

Have you ever laughed so loud that it felt like all your problems were gone? Or have you seen elderly people in a park nearby, gathered in the morning, and laughing loudly? There is actually a reason behind it. Humour can help you maintain a stable mental state.

Humour not only boosts mood but also stimulates important functions in our body. It increases oxygen-rich air intake and stimulates organs like our heart, lungs, and muscles. It also releases endorphins and makes us feel pleased and calm. Dr Neerja Agarwal, a psychologist with 15 years of experience and the co-founder of Emoneeds, a mental health platform says that humour is a natural stress relief mechanism that alters heart rate, leaving one in higher spirits. "Laughter also promoted rapid blood circulation, which induces a calming sensation and alleviates tension. As a valuable tool for stress management, humour can also shift perspective, enabling some individuals to perceive challenges in a less daunting manner," she explains.

When a person laughs, it triggers a cascade of physiological and psychological responses that enhance well-being, explains the doctor. The act of laughing also engages multiple brain regions, particularly those associated with emotion, pleasure, and social bonding. This activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and mood enhancers, leading to feelings of joy and relaxation. 

"Additionally, laughter increases serotonin levels, contributing to mood stabilisation and reducing feelings of anxiety or depression," she explains. Physiologically, laughing boosts oxygen intake, improves circulation, and activates the diaphragm, which can promote a sense of physical and emotional release. 

 Dr Gautami Devi Chetri, Clinical Psychologist at Lissun says that laughter can also help in burning calories. "While not equivalent to aerobic exercise, just 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn 10-40 extra calories. It enhances heart function by increasing stroke volume and cardiac output, dilates blood vessels, and lowers cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Additionally, laughter stimulates the brain's reward system, boosts immunoglobulins and natural killer cell activity, and raises beta-endorphins and human growth hormone, contributing to overall well-being," she explains.

<h5>How Can One Incorporate It In Life?</h5>

Laughter yoga is a great way to do that. Blending laughter with yogic breathing techniques fosters a strong connection between mind and body. Dr Chetri explains that it was founded in India in 1995. Laughter yoga has been shown to lift moods, reduce stress, boost the immune system, and enhance overall quality of life. It also helps people cope with challenges. "As participants laugh while focusing on their breath, they take in more oxygen, activating the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and a natural state of calm. It’s a joyful way to improve overall well-being. Studies on laughter yoga have shown that it can significantly reduce mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hostility, as well as negative self-perception," she says.

Dr Agarwal also says that studies have shown that laughter yoga also enhances cardiovascular health, flexibility and overall vitality which is essential for maintaining independence in later life. 

"It encourages social interaction, reduces feelings of isolation, and builds emotional resilience. Participants often experience a sense of belonging and purpose within the supportive community that laughter yoga cultivates. This joyful practice promotes embracing the present moment, alleviating anxiety and encouraging a more optimistic outlook," she says. 

A study by John Goodwin, Maria O'Malley and Karen McCarthy titled How Do Mental Health Professionals Use Humor? A Systematic Review from 2024, published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health says that mental health nurses use laughter and humour as a coping mechanism. These nurses stated that whenever there are stressful events in their professional roles, humour is an important strategy to deal with it. 

It also found that psychiatrists who tended to employ humour were more likely to report feeling "happy". In fact, in family therapy sessions, school counselling sessions also encouraged family members to joke once in a while each week as it can enhance relationships.

Dr Chetri says that research suggests that laughter has the ability to lower stress-related hormones in the body, which mitigates the impact of stress. It reduces levels of cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid, a key dopamine by-product, signaling a reversal of the stress response. 

Some of the  studies Dr Chetri also points out are:

<ul>A study by Cai, Yu, Rong, and Zhong examined the effectiveness of humour intervention for patients with schizophrenia. They found that 10 hours of humour skill training led to improved rehabilitative outcomes and enhanced the participants' sense of humour, including a reduction in negative symptoms.</ul>

<li>In another study conducted by Bains, Berk, Lohman, and colleagues, researchers investigated the effects of humour on short-term memory in both healthy and diabetic older adults. They discovered that humour therapy, specifically watching a 20-minute humorous film, resulted in significant improvements in cognitive function, including enhanced learning ability, delayed recall, and visual recognition.</li><ul><li>In another integrative literature review by Xuefeng Sun et al. published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers explored that humour therapy was found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in most patients, addressing issues such as low mood, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and negative thought patterns. While motivation levels improved for many, some showed minimal change. The review highlighted three effective interventions: humor therapy, medical clowns for children, and laughter therapy for adults, all of which demonstrated a positive impact on mental health benefits.</li></ul><ul><li>Lastly, in his 1905 book, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious, Sigmund Freud expressed that humour serves as one of the most effective defence mechanisms of the psyche, capable of transforming anxiety into pleasure. </li></ul>

Dr Agarwal also notes that studies have also shown that hospital clowns significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels in both hospitalised children and parents. Another study by Georgia State University found that integrating bouts of simulated laughter into exercise programs improved mental health and aerobic endurance among older adults. 

However, humour and its effects work differently on person to person and the results solely depend on the person's anxiety levels and other indicators of mental health. While it can provide a momentary relief, for someone with severe mental health issues, it is always advisable to seek professional help, notes Dr Agarwal.

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Have you ever laughed so loud that it felt like all your problems were gone? Or have you seen elderly people in a park nearby, gathered in the morning, and laughing loudly? There is actually a reason behind it. Humour can help you maintain a stable mental state. Humour not only boosts mood but also stimulates important functions in our body. It increases oxygen-rich air intake and stimulates organs like our heart, lungs, and muscles. It also releases endorphins and makes us feel pleased and calm. Dr Neerja Agarwal, a psychologist with 15 years of experience and the co-founder of Emoneeds, a mental health platform says that humour is a natural stress relief mechanism that alters heart rate, leaving one in higher spirits. "Laughter also promoted rapid blood circulation, which induces a calming sensation and alleviates tension. As a valuable tool for stress management, humour can also shift perspective, enabling some individuals to perceive challenges in a less daunting manner," she explains. The 'Feel Good' ChemicalsWhen a person laughs, it triggers a cascade of physiological and psychological responses that enhance well-being, explains the doctor. The act of laughing also engages multiple brain regions, particularly those associated with emotion, pleasure, and social bonding. This activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and mood enhancers, leading to feelings of joy and relaxation. "Additionally, laughter increases serotonin levels, contributing to mood stabilisation and reducing feelings of anxiety or depression," she explains. Physiologically, laughing boosts oxygen intake, improves circulation, and activates the diaphragm, which can promote a sense of physical and emotional release.  Dr Gautami Devi Chetri, Clinical Psychologist at Lissun says that laughter can also help in burning calories. "While not equivalent to aerobic exercise, just 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn 10-40 extra calories. It enhances heart function by increasing stroke volume and cardiac output, dilates blood vessels, and lowers cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Additionally, laughter stimulates the brain's reward system, boosts immunoglobulins and natural killer cell activity, and raises beta-endorphins and human growth hormone, contributing to overall well-being," she explains.How Can One Incorporate It In Life?Laughter yoga is a great way to do that. Blending laughter with yogic breathing techniques fosters a strong connection between mind and body. Dr Chetri explains that it was founded in India in 1995. Laughter yoga has been shown to lift moods, reduce stress, boost the immune system, and enhance overall quality of life. It also helps people cope with challenges. "As participants laugh while focusing on their breath, they take in more oxygen, activating the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and a natural state of calm. It’s a joyful way to improve overall well-being. Studies on laughter yoga have shown that it can significantly reduce mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hostility, as well as negative self-perception," she says.Dr Agarwal also says that studies have shown that laughter yoga also enhances cardiovascular health, flexibility and overall vitality which is essential for maintaining independence in later life. "It encourages social interaction, reduces feelings of isolation, and builds emotional resilience. Participants often experience a sense of belonging and purpose within the supportive community that laughter yoga cultivates. This joyful practice promotes embracing the present moment, alleviating anxiety and encouraging a more optimistic outlook," she says. Is It Scientifically Backed?A study by John Goodwin, Maria O'Malley and Karen McCarthy titled How Do Mental Health Professionals Use Humor? A Systematic Review from 2024, published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health says that mental health nurses use laughter and humour as a coping mechanism. These nurses stated that whenever there are stressful events in their professional roles, humour is an important strategy to deal with it. It also found that psychiatrists who tended to employ humour were more likely to report feeling "happy". In fact, in family therapy sessions, school counselling sessions also encouraged family members to joke once in a while each week as it can enhance relationships.Dr Chetri says that research suggests that laughter has the ability to lower stress-related hormones in the body, which mitigates the impact of stress. It reduces levels of cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid, a key dopamine by-product, signaling a reversal of the stress response. Some of the  studies Dr Chetri also points out are:A study by Cai, Yu, Rong, and Zhong examined the effectiveness of humour intervention for patients with schizophrenia. They found that 10 hours of humour skill training led to improved rehabilitative outcomes and enhanced the participants' sense of humour, including a reduction in negative symptoms.In another study conducted by Bains, Berk, Lohman, and colleagues, researchers investigated the effects of humour on short-term memory in both healthy and diabetic older adults. They discovered that humour therapy, specifically watching a 20-minute humorous film, resulted in significant improvements in cognitive function, including enhanced learning ability, delayed recall, and visual recognition.In another integrative literature review by Xuefeng Sun et al. published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers explored that humour therapy was found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in most patients, addressing issues such as low mood, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and negative thought patterns. While motivation levels improved for many, some showed minimal change. The review highlighted three effective interventions: humor therapy, medical clowns for children, and laughter therapy for adults, all of which demonstrated a positive impact on mental health benefits.Lastly, in his 1905 book, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious, Sigmund Freud expressed that humour serves as one of the most effective defence mechanisms of the psyche, capable of transforming anxiety into pleasure. Dr Agarwal also notes that studies have also shown that hospital clowns significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels in both hospitalised children and parents. Another study by Georgia State University found that integrating bouts of simulated laughter into exercise programs improved mental health and aerobic endurance among older adults. However, humour and its effects work differently on person to person and the results solely depend on the person's anxiety levels and other indicators of mental health. While it can provide a momentary relief, for someone with severe mental health issues, it is always advisable to seek professional help, notes Dr Agarwal.

world mental health day 2024: what role does humour play in mental well-being?

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