What type of humour is most helpful for wellbeing?

Humour that is compassionate, inclusive, and gently self-deprecating tends to support wellbeing because it encourages connection rather than ridicule or division.

How can humour be used intentionally?

People can intentionally engage humour by watching comedy, sharing playful moments with others, or noticing amusing aspects of everyday experiences.

Humour: More Than Just a Laugh

Q: Is humour simply a distraction from problems?

Not necessarily. While humour can provide temporary relief, it can also support perspective-taking and emotional flexibility during stressful situations.

By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Psychology and humour illustration showing laughter supporting emotional wellbeing and stress regulation — Humour can be more than a reaction. It can be a tool for regulating our emotions and supporting wellbeing.

Humour as a Regulatory Function in Our Busy and Often Stressful Lives

Modern life often feels marked by stress, loss, and unrelenting demands. In this context, intentionally engaging with humour might seem trivial. However, research suggests otherwise. Laughter and humour are not merely indulgences. From a psychological perspective, humour is a meaningful mechanism for emotional regulation, social connection, and stress relief. It can influence mood, neurochemistry, and autonomic nervous system activity [1,2].

In some moments humour can also help us step back from the stories our minds produce, creating a little distance from difficult thoughts. This theme is explored further in the article Thoughts Are Not Facts.

A Word on Boundaries

Before turning to the benefits of humour, one important boundary deserves acknowledgement. Humour can feel good, but it can also cause harm. The humour that supports wellbeing is inclusive, compassionate, and often gently self-deprecating. It is aimed at connection rather than comparison or division.

Not all humour is helpful. Sarcasm, ridicule, or humour used to avoid emotional experience can reinforce disconnection or defensive coping [4,5].

The Neuroscience of Laughter

Laughter stimulates the release of several neurochemicals associated with reward, mood regulation, and social bonding, including dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins [1,6].

Dopamine supports motivation, reward, and mood regulation.
Endorphins act as natural pain relievers and contribute to feelings of ease and wellbeing.
Serotonin helps stabilise mood and supports emotional resilience.

Laughter has also been associated with reductions in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, suggesting measurable physiological effects on stress regulation [1]. This shift can support a more relaxed and grounded state, making thoughtful responses easier than reactive responses.

Psychological Benefits of Humour

Engaging with humour can support emotional wellbeing in several ways:

Lifts mood: Lightness and laughter can interrupt cycles of rumination or low mood [2].
Fosters connection: Shared humour can strengthen social bonds and a sense of belonging [3,6].
Increases resilience: Humour may help people reinterpret difficult experiences with greater psychological flexibility [3,4].
Enhances perspective: Playful thinking can help us view situations from multiple angles [4].

These ideas sit comfortably alongside values-based living. If you would like to read further, see Values-Based Positive Affirmations.

Intentional Humour

While spontaneous laughter is wonderful, humour can also be intentionally cultivated as a small but helpful form of emotional hygiene and nervous system support [2,3].

This might include:

Watching or reading something funny
Sharing light moments with others
Reflecting on the absurdity of everyday situations
Noting amusing observations in a journal or voice memo

It is not about ignoring seriousness. It is about making space for humour beside it. Humour can offer lightness, relief, and a gentle reset for the nervous system [2].

This approach fits naturally with values-guided living, which is discussed further in Let Your Values Be Your Guide.

In Summary

Humour has the potential to soothe the nervous system, lift mood, and deepen social connection. For individuals navigating stress, mental health challenges, or burnout, humour can become a helpful ally. Not by denying pain, but by softening the edges around it.

Humour can be more than a reaction. It can become a strategy that we intentionally engage with to support wellbeing [3,5].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can humour really support mental health?
Yes. Research suggests humour can reduce stress, enhance mood, and support emotional regulation by stimulating helpful neurochemistry and promoting social connection [1,2,3].

What kind of humour is most helpful for wellbeing?
Humour that is inclusive, compassionate, and gently self-deprecating, and that is aimed at connection rather than ridicule, tends to be the most psychologically supportive [4,5].

Is humour just a distraction from real problems?
No. While humour can provide temporary relief, it can also support perspective taking and emotional reset during stressful situations [2,3].

How can I intentionally include humour in my self-care?
You can intentionally engage with humour by watching or reading something funny, sharing playful moments with others, or recording amusing observations during the day [2,3].

Can humour ever be unhelpful?
Yes. Humour that mocks, ridicules, or avoids emotion can reinforce defensive coping rather than supporting genuine wellbeing [4,5].

References

Kramer, C. K., & Leitao, C. B. (2023). Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0286260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286260
Sarink, F. S. M., & García-Montes, J. M. (2023). Humor interventions in psychotherapy and their effect on depression and anxiety: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1049476. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1049476
Kafle, E., Papastavrou Brooks, C., Chawner, D., Foye, U., & Declercq, D. (2023). Beyond laughter: How comedy-based interventions support mental health. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1161703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161703
Goodwin, J., O’Malley, M., & McCarthy, K. (2024). How mental health professionals use humour in therapy: A systematic review. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 19(4), 673–690. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2024.2304605
Martin, R. A. (2007). The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach. Academic Press.
Dunbar, R. I. M., et al. (2012). Social laughter is correlated with an elevated pain threshold. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 279(1731), 1161–1167. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.1373

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Therapy is available in person at Varsity Lakes or via telehealth anywhere in Australia.

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