Is Laughter the Best Medicine for Mental Health?
Even a half-smile can help us reach that place of laughter, joy, or connection.
The first time I went to an AA meeting, I was surprised by the laughter. I expected the stories of loss, even tears, but the laughter seemed to wash over the room and clean the air. Similarly, at Sanford Behavioral Health, you often hear the sound of laughter as Sanford clients begin to feel better and make connections with kindred spirits in group therapy or on outings around the campus. The old saying “laughter is the best medicine” means that finding humor in life can be an effective way to reduce stress or cope with difficult emotions. The adage is especially true in the treatment of mental health, addiction, and eating disorders.
Is Laughter the Best Medicine for Mental Health?
Why do people in mental health treatment laugh? It serves a similar purpose to laughter in other supportive settings; laughter brings relief, connection, and healing. In fact, a communal belly laugh helps people process difficult emotions while strengthening the bonds that sustain long-term recovery.
Here are five good reasons laughter helps the healing process:
- Hope and resilience: Sanford Psychiatrist Dr. Samarth Bhandari says, “One of the necessary criteria to meet the diagnosis of depression is the inability to find joy.” Laughter is a lived example of recovery from mental health conditions..
- Tension release: Shame, guilt, trauma, relapse – sharing in group therapy can be intense, and laughter breaks the heaviness and brings people together in shared experience.
- Shared experience: When someone tells a story you can relate to, laughter is the recognition that you are not alone in your experience.
- Normalization of problems: There is power in group laughter (without glorification) about past behaviors. It can make you feel more human and less stigmatized and isolated.
- Bonding and trust: Laughter makes a group of people feel safe and more inclined to open up.
Finding Joy – Treating Depression with Dr. Samarth Bhandari
Half-Smile and Willing Hands
We spoke with Sanford Clinical Director Tessa Sterling, LMSW, about the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skill called Half-Smile and Willing Hands. Tessa says, “Playfulness and humor are a big part of our clinical team. With the DBT skill Half-Smile and Willing Hands, the idea is that if your palms are facing up, and you have a half smile like the Mona Lisa, it can improve even a very bad day. There is a lot of neurophysiology associated with these movements. Physically, making this motion signals to your brain a greater sense of neutrality or pleasantness instead of sadness, anxiety, or despair. Just moving your face and body language can signal safety, connection, and openness to your brain. Laughing sends a signal that says, I’m safe, I’m okay, and I can get through this.
An open posture can help us navigate a challenging moment. Showing our palms indicates we are not a threat; we are vulnerable. A half-smile is a nice notion. When we’re in a place of despair, perhaps in residential treatment, we’re not always going to feel like laughing. It could feel fake or forced. But even a half-smile can help us reach that place of laughter, joy, or connection. The half-smile might be more authentic to what we’re going through. Because while we do have moments of laughter, we’re going through the full range of emotions.”.
Laughter and Community
Why do we hear laughter in the group rooms at Sanford Behavioral Health? Because laughter breaks the ice. Shared laughter indicates that the clients in the room see the world similarly, at least regarding their recovery. Their shared experience has become an important part of their community and social support. When paired with evidence-based treatment programs, sharing a laugh benefits real-life relationships, positive feelings, and even expressions of love. Laughter in treatment does not ignore problems, but takes a step away from anger and anxiety and approaches issues in a fresh light. Comedian Kevin Hart says, “Laughter heals all wounds, and that’s one thing that everybody shares. No matter what you’re going through, it makes you forget about your problems. I think the world should keep laughing”. So do we.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or mental health conditions, don’t wait to change your life – click the link and get in touch today. Our admissions specialists are available 24/7 to answer questions or schedule your admission to treatment.
