Laugh your way to Health
April Is National Humor Month
Let’s Celebrate the Healing Power of Laughter
April arrives with a beautiful reminder: it’s National Humor Month, a time to honor one of the most uplifting gifts we have as human beings -our ability to laugh. Laughter truly is a kind of medicine, gently soothing the body and brightening the spirit. When humorist Larry Wilde created National Humor Month back in 1976, his intention was simple and profound: to help people recognize the therapeutic value of joy.
Modern science continues to confirm what our hearts already know. A good laugh eases stress, reduces pain, strengthens the immune system, and supports overall well‑being. It relaxes our muscles, improves blood flow, and even gives our hearts a healthy boost. Research shows that laughter increases pain tolerance, reduces inflammation (including in people with rheumatoid arthritis), and can even help decrease lung hyperinflation in those with COPD.
Laughter and Eye Health-A Beautiful Connection
You may be surprised to learn that laughter also nourishes our eyes. Studies show that laughing increases tear production by gently contracting the muscles around the eyes and stimulating the tear glands. This natural lubrication keeps our eyes comfortable and healthy.
Even more fascinating, laughter has been shown to lower intraocular pressure, an important factor in reducing the risk of glaucoma. In one study, people with glaucoma experienced a significant drop in eye pressure after watching a comedy, while those who watched a documentary did not. This suggests that humor may be a meaningful supportive therapy for managing glaucoma and easing overall tension.
Over a century ago, Dr. William Bates observed similar benefits. Through simple daily relaxation practices like palming, sunning, blinking, and other gentle techniques, he helped many people stabilize their eye conditions, long before modern research confirmed the mind‑body connection he intuitively understood.
Food, Mood, and the Joy We Create from Within
Just as laughter nourishes us, the foods we choose each day also shape our emotional landscape. Research shows that whole, unprocessed foods support a brighter mood and a higher quality of life. A 2009 study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that people who ate whole foods experienced fewer symptoms of depression than those who relied on processed foods. Another study the following year showed that vegetarians reported more positive moods than meat eaters.
Why does this happen? Plant foods are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help repair cellular damage, calm inflammation, and restore balance to neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, quercetin-a natural compound found in apples, kale, berries, grapes, onions, and green tea can help increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all of which support emotional well‑being.
On the other hand, arachidonic acid, a type of fat found only in animal products, can trigger inflammatory pathways that affect the brain, contributing to anxiety, stress, and low mood. Reducing these foods can support both physical and emotional health.
Joy as a Daily Practice
Whole foods, humor, and heartfelt laughter are powerful forms of nourishment. They help us heal, connect, and feel more alive. Laughter is wonderfully contagious and one of the few things we’re always happy to “catch.” The more we allow ourselves to laugh, especially at our own imperfections, the more joy we naturally share with the people around us.
Here’s to a month filled with lightness, warmth, and plenty of reasons to smile. May laughter continues to be one of your most trusted companions on the path to vibrant health.
