Laughter: A Natural Remedy for Stress and a
Health Benefit
Laughter, often perceived as a simple reaction to humor, is in fact a powerful therapeutic tool. Numerous recent studies show that it has a positive influence on our psychological and physical well-being, whether actively practiced (laughter yoga) or simply perceived (listening to laughter).
A shield against stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are omnipresent in our lives, impacting on our mental health and cognitive performance. Research has shown that laughter yoga in nursing students reduces stress and improves well-being. Even if these effects are not always statistically superior to a control group, they remain promising.
An ally for patients and caregivers
For cancer patients, laughter therapy is emerging as an effective complementary approach. A meta-analysis of nine clinical studies shows that laughter significantly reduces stress, anxiety, depression, pain and fatigue. Even if its impact on sleep remains limited, it promotes social interaction and strengthens the bond between patients and caregivers.
A tool to give meaning and courage
In young nursing students, laughter yoga prior to their first clinical experience reduces stress and reinforces their perception of the meaning of life. This result is crucial: better stress management can improve motivation and resilience in the face of future career challenges.
Laughter for a healthier old age
Laughter doesn't just improve mental health: it also has a positive effect on physical health, particularly in older people. A study of 916 elderly people showed that daily laughter reduces the risk of oral fragility. By reinforcing social communication and limiting depression, laughter becomes a preventive lever for a healthier old age.
A universal medicine, accessible to all
Laughter is a free, natural resource with no side effects. Its positive effect on stress and mental and physical health makes it a preventive and wellness tool accessible to everyone, from students to senior citizens to patients suffering from serious illnesses. While it does not replace medical treatment, it is a valuable complementary therapy that deserves to be integrated into public health strategies.
In short, laughter is self-care.
What if we were to turn this habit into a daily reflex?
Learn more about Lactium for stress management!
Sources:
✍️ Vivre avec ou sans stress-Le comprendre et le gérer - Docteur Marc Dellière
✍️ Le Rire : Un Remède Précieux face au Stress de la Vie Moderne
✍️ Comment évaluer le stress psychosocial😧? Les 🧪BIOMARQUEURS du STRESS
✍️ Prévenir le Stress par le rire
Fédération Française de Cardiologie
✍️ Effects of laughter therapy on improving physical and psychological symptoms among cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Qu L, Cao Y, Wang M, Song D, Huang G.
Support Care Cancer. 2025 Feb 27;33(3):230.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09276-1.
✍️ The effect of laughter yoga on well-being, perceived stress, and academic self-efficacy in nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.
Yas MA, Incesu O.
Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2025 Feb;17(1):e12610.
doi: 10.1111/aphw.12610.
✍️ Effects of laughter yoga practiced by the first year nursing students before clinical practice on their perceptions of stress and meaning of life: a randomized controlled trial.
Kaya KÇ, Özkan ÇG, Ağiş D.
BMC Nurs. 2025 Jan 11;24(1):41.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02642-0.
✍️ Hearing laughter: a prescription for anxiety relief.
Abrams L, Therriault DJ.
Anxiety Stress Coping. 2025 Jan;38(1):90-101.
doi: 10.1080/10615806.2024.2373448.
✍️ Association of laughter and social communication with oral frailty among residents in Fukushima: a cross-sectional study.
Funakubo N, Okazaki K, Hayashi F, Eguchi E, Nishimagi M, Nakano H, Nagao M, Yoshida T, Yokozuka M, Moriyama N, Fujita Y, Ohira T.
Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 5;14(1):26818.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-77966-7.
✍️ Laughter therapy: A humor-induced hormonal intervention to reduce stress and anxiety.
Akimbekov NS, Razzaque MS.
Curr Res Physiol. 2021;4:135-138.
doi: 10.1016/j.crphys.2021.04.002.
✍️ Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review.
Yim J.Tohoku
J Exp Med. 2016 Jul;239(3):243-9.
doi: 10.1620/tjem.239.243.)