14 Reasons Why Laughter is Good Medicine

Kim Anthony • October 2, 2022

By Simply Health Today

Aside from strengthening relationships and increasing your level of comfort in certain situations, every time you laugh there are chemicals released that play an important role in boosting your health. When someone says laughter is the best medicine, they are not that far off as laughter really does have some great health benefits. Here are 14 health benefits that come from simply having a good laugh every once in a while.

1. Boosts Your Immunity

Your immune system is extremely important to your overall health. The good news is, simply laughing can give your immune system a boost. Most people think that they need to take supplements, make sure to get lots of rest, work out regularly, and get plenty of vitamin D. While these are all important for your immune system, it turns out that laughter is just as good for you. One study that was published by the National Cancer Institute found that people who laugh on a regular basis decrease hormones related to stress inside their bodies. In addition, laughter will increase the number of natural killer cells and activated T cells, which are two things that can truly help your body stay healthy and strong. If you are feeling sick or down, try watching a favorite comedy and having a good laugh. There is a good chance that it will make you feel a little bit better.

2. Gives You a Work Out

Have you ever laughed so hard you felt sore? A good belly laugh is almost as good as a good workout. In fact, it is a workout. There is a reason that you will feel sore after you have a good long laugh. Researchers have found that laughing, the physically intense whole body laughing, actually provides you with a mini-workout. This workout is very similar to doing aerobic exercises. Laughing hard will boost your respiratory rate, heart rate, and increase your oxygen consumption. Having a good hard laugh can give you some of the same benefits as a decent workout. However, the exercise benefits of laughing only come when you have periods of really intense laughter. Unfortunately, this means that sitting around watching funny videos is not going to be able to replace your real workouts. Even if laughter cannot replace your workouts, it can provide you with a few of the benefits and a lot more fun.

3. Gives You a Work Out

One of the parts of your body that loves laughter is the heart. Since your heart is a very important part of your body, it is important to make sure that you are doing all that you can in order to keep it healthy. While exercising and eating healthy foods are important for keeping your heart healthy, it turns out that laughing regularly is just as important for your heart health. The Cleveland Clinic found that laughing will immediately increase the blood flow to your heart. In the same way that aerobic exercise increases your blood flow to this important organ, laughter has the same effect. Getting that surge of extra blood flow to your heart on a regular basis can help reduce many scary heart-related issues. So, next time you want to feel good and boost your heart health, have a good laugh with some friends. Tell some jokes or watch a comedy, use the excuse that it is good for your heart.

4. Relieves Stress

There is nothing quite like a good laugh to help alleviate tension and stress. When you are feeling stressed, it can cause damage to your body. In fact, stress can cause many different health issues and most people do not realize this. If you are feeling stressed and simply need to relax, have a good laugh. The giggles can instantly relieve the stress response of the body and help to soothe any type of tension that you are holding inside. In addition, laughter during stressful times can help improve your mood. When your mood improves it is much easier to handle the problems that you might be facing. While laughter cannot solve all of your problems, it can help you feel better about the things that you are dealing with and make it a bit easier to move on and overcome the obstacles you might be facing.

5. Clears the Mind

Are you a writer and have writer’s block? Perhaps you are just experiencing random brain fog. You walk into a room and forget what you went in there for. If this sounds familiar, there is some good news, laughter can help. The FASEB Journal published an article in 2016 that found that simple laughter can put your brain back into a state where you are able to think more clearly. If you are struggling to focus or simply have a case of brain fog, pop in a favorite comedy or watch a funny video and you might just be able to get your brain back into focus so that you can get your work done. Even if you are still feeling a bit of brain fog, you are going to feel better after you have a good laugh, so it is not going to hurt anything at all. Take the time to laugh and regroup and move on with your day with your brain in better focus.

6. Pain Killer

Chances are when you have been hurt someone has told you to smile through it. There is also a good chance that you have taken a fall or bumped your arm or leg and even though it really hurts, you laugh at how clumsy you are. It turns out that laughter can be a great way to reduce the amount of pain that you are feeling. When you laugh your body releases endorphins that can help you feel better. While it may not be possible to truly laugh when you are in extreme amounts of pain, at least trying to smile and lighten the mood can go a long way in making you feel better. Have your friends tell you jokes or laugh with them about something dumb you have done. You will be surprised at how much better it can make you feel when you are experiencing any type of pain.

7. Creativity

There are days when you are feeling very creative and are accomplishing tasks that you may not have thought you could. Then there are other days when you simply feel like you do not have a creative bone in your body. You might be struggling through ideas and feel like there is no way that you can accomplish the tasks that you set out to do because you are simply not feeling creative. If you are stuck in a rut and want to boost your creativity, try laughing. A little bit of humor can help to loosen up your mind. When you laugh you tend to be more relaxed and emotionally you feel a bit safer. When you are feeling relaxed and safe, your brain has more power to be more creative. If you are putting off a project because of a lack of creativity, a good laugh with some friends might be all that you need to get rolling again.

8. Calorie Burner

Exercise is the most well-known way to burn calories. It is likely that you wear a tracker that tells you exactly how many calories that you burn during a workout. Perhaps you even count the calories that you eat. When it comes to staying healthy, chances are high that calories are going to come up in the conversation. One more great thing about laughter is that a secret health benefit of laughing is that you actually burn calories while you are doing it. Laughing for just ten to fifteen minutes a day can burn anywhere from ten to forty calories. If you have some good deep belly laughs, you are going to burn even more calories. While burning forty calories does not seem like a lot, it translates to losing about four pounds a year. This is just one more reason to make sure that you are filling your life with laughter.

9. Lowers Your Blood Pressure

As mentioned, laughing reduces stress. One of the main causes of high blood pressure is stress. High blood pressure often is viewed as not a big deal. However, it can lead to many health issues including increasing the risk of developing heart disease and possibly having a stroke. The Journal of Research in Medical Science published a study that found that the act of simply laughing can actually help keep your blood pressure low. Once again, laughter helps to relax your body and relieves tension and stress that you may be holding onto. If you have been told that you have high blood pressure, try adding some good quality laughter to your life. Lighten up and tell some jokes. Make it a point to watch some comedies. Spend time with people who make you feel good. All of these things can go a long way when it comes to lowering your blood pressure.

10. Helps Ease Depression

Depression causes an overwhelming feeling of sadness. When a person is depressed, one of the last things that they will want to do is laugh. In fact, it can be difficult to find something that you even feel like laughing about. However, if you are suffering from depression or simply just feeling depressed, try to find something that will make you laugh. You might have to work at it and you might have to force that first giggle, but doing this can go a long way in alleviating some of the symptoms you are experiencing as the result of depression. One study conducted by the Journal of Alternative Medicine found that just three-hour-long laughter therapy sessions were enough to improve the mood states and the self-esteem of the participants. If you are diagnosed with depression, you might just want to ask about some laugh therapy sessions to help.

11. Helps with Memory Loss

Over time your memory is likely to get worse. This is just really something that comes with age. Almost everyone experiences some form of memory loss throughout their life. It could be as simple as not remembering where you put something. Memory loss can become severe in some people and result in dementia. While laughter is not a cure for Alzheimer’s or Dementia, it can help combat memory loss. One study done by researchers from Experimental Biology found that watching a 20-minute humorous video before taking a memory test helped older adults score better when compared to people who did not watch the video. Once again, laughter has proven to be good for the health of your brain, which is why it is important to make sure that you are taking time to giggle and have some fun in your life. Your brain will thank you for this later.

12. Improves Function of Blood Vessels

The main job of your blood vessels is to transport blood all over your body and to keep everything running smoothly and properly. When you are stressed, your blood vessels will restrict. This makes it harder for blood to get to the areas of the body that need it. Once again, laughter can help. When you laugh your blood vessels will expand, which makes it easier for the blood to flow throughout the body and to the areas that it needs to be. Laughter causes you to relax more and feel better, when this occurs your blood vessels become healthier because they do not have to work as hard to get your blood throughout your body. Making the blood vessel’s job easier means that the vessels are going to be healthier overall. So if you are feeling stressed, laugh a little and improve your blood flow. Your body will thank you.

13. Reduces Inflamation

When it comes to health issues, most people do not realize that inflammation is often the main cause. Inflammation can occur anywhere in the body and causes many common health ailments. Heart disease and diabetes are common results of inflammation within the body. Heart attacks are caused when a blood clot prevents blood from getting through the body and to the heart. A person who has diabetes also has an increased risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Research has found that laughter can be used as a part of diabetic care as laughter improves good cholesterol throughout the body and helps to lower inflammation. Lowering inflammation is important in keeping the heart happy and healthier and since the heart is important for your overall health you should be doing all that you can to keep it healthy. Eating well, exercising, and having a good laugh are great ways to keep your heart happy.

14. Helps You Through Tough Times

Life is hard and there are many times that you are going to struggle with things. Deaths of family members or close friends occur. There are sad times, stressful times, and times that you may just feel down. When you are feeling like this it can be difficult to see the good and the funny. However, if you can take a moment to reflect on good and happy times and remember all of those things, it can go a long way when it comes to getting you through those times that are a bit tougher. Finding a way to laugh during tough times can be extremely beneficial. Good endorphins are released, stress is released, and you will feel better overall. This doesn’t mean that you will not still feel sad, but laughing can help the pain or sadness not be as tough to get through.

This article orginally appeared in Simply Health Today

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Never Miss a Story.
SUBSCRIBE

Contact Us

In 2026 Focus Is the New Flexibility

By Kim Anthony • January 1, 2026

For years, entrepreneurship praised the founder who could reinvent everything at a moment’s notice. The message was clear: stay flexible, pivot fast, change direction as often as necessary, and somehow the breakthrough would appear. Many people built survival on that skill. They learned to adjust when doors closed, when opportunities weren’t equal, when the plan didn’t work the first time. Reinvention became a way of staying afloat. But as we move through 2026, a different truth is beginning to emerge. The entrepreneurs gaining real traction are no longer the ones constantly starting over. They are the ones who stop scattering their energy and begin refining what already works. Instead of creating new lanes every few months, they choose one, strengthen it, deepen it, and let it mature. They discover that progress doesn’t always mean doing something new — sometimes it means doing something familiar with greater clarity, confidence, and excellence. Pivoting still has its place. Sometimes strategy really must shift. Conditions change, industries evolve, technology resets everything, and adaptation remains necessary. But pivoting as a lifestyle creates instability. When everything is always new, nothing ever has time to root. Every reinvention requires new branding, new storytelling, new systems, new audiences, and new emotional effort. Living in constant restart mode drains momentum. Eventually, the business feels like a collection of beginnings rather than a sustained journey toward mastery. In 2026, wisdom looks different than it once did. It is less about speed and more about steadiness. Instead of running toward every opportunity, focused entrepreneurs slow down long enough to ask whether the opportunity actually belongs to them. They recognize that not every trend deserves their attention. AI tools rise. Digital platforms expand. New marketing tactics promise instant success. And yet, the founders who are growing most meaningfully are not the ones chasing everything — they are the ones staying grounded in the work that truly aligns. Depth has become more powerful than distraction. There is something magnetic about a business that knows who it is and remains faithful to its identity. When a founder shows up consistently in the same lane, people begin to trust them. Over time, reputation forms. Word-of-mouth strengthens. Clients return because they recognize quality and commitment. What once felt narrow reveals itself as strength. The more deeply you plant, the wider your roots spread. This is why focus is not restriction — it is liberation. When you choose direction, your mind quiets. Decisions stop feeling chaotic. Messaging becomes clearer. Operations can finally stabilize. Instead of constantly rewriting your story, you allow your story to mature. Your calendar becomes intentional rather than frantic. Your identity as a business becomes recognizable, not blurry. Focus removes clutter and gives your effort a home. For many entrepreneurs, especially those who have had to operate in survival mode, narrowing feels risky. There is an instinct that says, “If I don’t do everything, I might miss something.” That instinct came from real experience. But 2026 invites a different kind of trust — trust that your work deserves depth, trust that commitment creates growth, and trust that excellence requires time. Mastery is not about doing more; it is about doing what matters with increasing skill and integrity. The future will not reward endless dabbling. It will reward builders — people who stay long enough to refine, improve, and evolve. Focus gives your business the stability needed to build legacy instead of just movement. It turns scattered effort into meaningful direction. It allows clients to recognize your voice, your values, and your contribution. And perhaps most importantly, focus allows you to breathe. When you stop chasing everything, you finally have the space to become who you are meant to be in business — grounded, confident, steady, and ready for the kind of growth that lasts. Because in 2026 and beyond, focus is not limitation. Focus is liberation.

In 2026, Emotional Resilience Becomes a Business Strategy

By Kim Anthony • January 1, 2026

For years, entrepreneurship was framed almost entirely through the lens of tactics. If you had the right software, the right plan, the right strategy, the right advisor, the right funnel — you were told success would follow. The story was simple: outwork everyone, optimize everything, and eventually life would reward your persistence. But as we move through 2026, that narrative is showing cracks. Many founders did everything “right” and still found themselves exhausted, discouraged, and unsure how to keep going. That shift forced a deeper question: what if the missing ingredient isn’t another tool or tactic — but the strength to remain steady when everything feels uncertain? Because the reality is this: the market is unpredictable. Technology moves so quickly that what felt cutting-edge two years ago can feel outdated now. Customers change, industries shift, opportunities arrive and disappear, and sometimes circumstances outside your control apply pressure you didn’t ask for — economy, health, family obligations, or structural barriers others never have to think about. When that pressure hits, strategies alone cannot hold you. Something internal must steady you — something rooted not in hustle, but in resilience. In 2026, emotional steadiness is no longer being viewed as a bonus trait for entrepreneurs. It is becoming part of the operational blueprint. If cash flow dips, if a partnership fails, if a launch falls flat, or if life disrupts the plan, resilience determines whether you collapse or recalibrate. It is the difference between seeing a setback as proof you aren’t capable — versus seeing it as data, feedback, and an invitation to adapt. Resilience, at its core, is not pretending nothing hurts. It is learning to be honest about the disappointment without being consumed by it. It is acknowledging pressure and choosing presence anyway. It is understanding that emotional regulation — the ability to breathe, reflect, and respond instead of react — is not weakness. It is leadership. Entrepreneurs especially need this kind of strength when they are carrying more than a personal dream. Some are building because families are counting on them. Communities are watching. Younger generations are looking for proof that new paths are possible. When the mission feels deeply personal, the weight grows heavier — and the temptation to push beyond healthy limits becomes stronger. Without resilience, the mission becomes a burden. With resilience, the mission becomes fuel. What’s changing in 2026 is the relationship founders have with themselves. Instead of glorifying burnout, many are finally allowing rest to count as strategy. They are recognizing that crossing the line into chronic exhaustion leads to poor decision-making, short tempers, financial mistakes, strained relationships, and lost passion. A burned-out leader cannot steward vision well. They react instead of discern. They chase survival instead of guiding from purpose. Resilient entrepreneurs are choosing a different approach. They are building rhythms of care into their routines — quiet time, movement, therapy, prayer, journaling, coaching, or anything that grounds them. They are surrounding themselves with people they don’t have to impress. They are learning that asking for help does not shrink authority — it protects it. They are redefining strength from “I can handle everything” to “I don’t have to carry this alone.” And slowly, something beautiful happens. The fear-driven tension softens. Decisions become clearer. Creativity returns. Perspective widens. Instead of clinging to every opportunity, founders begin choosing better ones. Instead of operating from scarcity, they begin to operate from stability. That shift changes everything — revenue, relationships, team culture, even health. Resilience also reframes failure. In older entrepreneurial culture, failure carried shame. Today, resilient leaders interpret failure as refinement. They ask different questions: What is this teaching me? What isn’t aligned? What can be improved? Where am I called to grow? They understand that progress is not linear, and endurance often matters more than perfection. At its deepest level, resilience is about protecting the person who is doing the building. Business can be rebuilt. Programs can be redesigned. Offers can evolve. But if the founder collapses under pressure, the entire vision collapses with them. Emotional resilience ensures the vision has a future — not because things never go wrong, but because you’ve learned how to stay grounded when they do. That’s why, in 2026, resilience is being recognized not as soft inspiration, but as structural support. Just as businesses invest in insurance, financial systems, and technology infrastructure, wise founders are now investing in the stability of their own inner lives. They are choosing therapy over silent suffering. Boundaries over burnout. Rest over guilt. Community over isolation. Reflection over constant reaction. The truth is simple and sobering: some of the most brilliant ideas never failed because they lacked potential. They faded because the person carrying them ran out of emotional strength. Resilience gives brilliance room to breathe. It buys time. It creates space for breakthroughs. It keeps you standing long enough to see opportunity again. This is the mindset shift of 2026: success is not just measured by revenue, expansion, or accolades. It is also measured by whether you remain healthy, mentally steady, spiritually anchored, and emotionally available to your life beyond business. The goal isn’t simply to build something impressive — it is to still be present, alive, and whole enough to enjoy it. And that, more than any algorithm or strategy, determines lasting impact.

10 Personal + Business Branding Trends Entrepreneurs Should Lean Into in 2026

By Kim Anthony • January 1, 2026

Branding in 2026 is no longer just about design or clever taglines. It has evolved into identity, credibility, relationship, and opportunity. For many founders who have had to push harder to be recognized and taken seriously, branding has become a true strategic advantage. Customers are paying attention in new ways — not only to what businesses sell, but to who leads them, what they believe, and how consistently they show up. They are craving authenticity, alignment, and meaning. 1. Founder visibility moves center stage. More than ever, people want to see the human being behind the brand. They want to understand the “why,” the values, and the journey. Entrepreneurs who share their stories, speak publicly, write, teach, and invite others into behind-the-scenes moments develop deeper trust. In a skeptical marketplace, a real, relatable presence becomes one of the strongest branding tools available. 2. Small communities become more powerful than big audiences. Instead of chasing viral moments or massive follower counts, more founders are building intentional spaces — memberships, masterminds, close-knit email lists, and digital communities where conversations feel personal. These communities foster resilience, referrals, support systems, and shared opportunity, creating stronger brands than social feeds alone ever could. 3. Cultural storytelling becomes strategic advantage. Brands that are rooted in lived experience, heritage, neighborhood, and authentic personal history stand out. Whether through food, fashion, wellness, education, or media, stories anchored in truth create connection. Real stories are no longer optional — they are becoming the heartbeat of strong brands. 4. AI becomes a creative partner instead of a replacement. Technology is accelerating branding, especially through AI tools that help with brainstorming, research, writing, and design. But the brands that rise to the top pair technology with humanity — adding nuance, emotion, and voice. Leaders who use AI thoughtfully gain efficiency without losing authenticity. 5. Trust and credibility become the new currency. With so much noise online, people naturally ask why they should believe what they see. Certifications, media features, speaking appearances, testimonials, awards, published content, and strong partnerships all serve as signals that a brand is real, reliable, and capable. These credibility markers open doors that talent alone cannot. 6. Alignment matters more than aesthetics. A beautiful logo or sleek website cannot compensate for misalignment. When messaging, visuals, pricing, customer experience, and leadership behavior match, trust deepens. When they don’t, audiences feel the disconnect and quietly disengage. Alignment is becoming one of the quiet superpowers of strong brands. 7. Thought leadership becomes a growth engine. Consumers no longer want only products — they want perspective. Entrepreneurs who share insights, create frameworks, challenge assumptions, and lead meaningful conversations become recognized as authorities. Their businesses grow because their thinking helps people make sense of their world. 8. Collaboration replaces competition as the default strategy. More entrepreneurs are choosing to partner instead of compete. Co-branded events, shared offers, podcast swaps, cross-promotions, and ecosystem partnerships allow brands to multiply visibility and impact. Collaboration signals confidence and creates opportunities none of the partners could access alone. 9. Purpose-driven branding rises to the forefront. Customers increasingly want to know what a business stands for — who it serves, why it matters, and how it contributes to something larger than profit. When purpose is authentic and clearly communicated, it attracts loyalty and deeper engagement. Purpose provides clarity, and clarity attracts the right people. 10. The health of the leader shapes the health of the brand. There is growing recognition that burnout shows up everywhere — in messaging, marketing, customer experiences, and decision-making. Rest, boundaries, mentorship, team support, and sustainable systems are now part of serious branding conversations. A grounded leader creates a grounded brand. In 2026, branding is not about shrinking to fit someone else’s expectations. It is about honoring your story, your excellence, and your voice — and allowing your business to reflect that truth. When entrepreneurs build brands with clarity, courage, and alignment, they don’t just compete. They create legacies.