Are you feeling overwhelmed as a new parent? Discover how laughter relieves stress for parents, easing anxiety and bringing more joy to your life.
Hey there! Parenting can be overwhelming, right?
Don’t worry; there are at least 10 ways laughter relieves stress for parents.
With diaper blowouts, sleepless nights, and trying to remember what day it is, it’s normal to feel stressed out. But what if there was a simple yet powerful way to lighten the load and bring more joy into your daily routine? Enter the power of laughter!
Let’s dig into how laughter relieves stress for parents
If you’re anything like me, taking the edge off parenting stress can make the wild ride of raising little ones (or even teenagers) a little less bumpy. Whether you’re navigating the sleepless nights of a newborn or the never-ending energy of a toddler, the stress can pile up quickly. And that stress? It’s not just messing with your mood—it’s making it harder to focus, remember things, and make decisions. But here’s the good news: Easy ways to manage that stress do exist. By trying out some simple stress-relief techniques (like laughing a little more!) and asking for help when you need it, you can keep your cool and tackle parenthood more smoothly.
Laughter isn’t just a quick giggle—it’s a game-changer. It can work wonders for our bodies and minds. In this article, we’ll explore why laughter is a powerful tool for reducing stress and improving mental and physical health. We will also share some practical ways to bring more laughter into your life as a parent. Plus, everything we’re talking about is backed by research because this is no laughing matter! *hah, see what I did there?*
No Joke, Laughter Might be the Best Medicine
What Happens When We Laugh?
Laughter is more than just having fun—it’s like a mini boost for your body and mind, especially when parenting feels tough. And yes, laughter really does help relieve stress for parents in many different ways!
Your Body’s Response to Laughter
When you laugh, your body kicks into feel-good mode. You’re taking in more oxygen, which gives you a nice energy boost and lifts your mood. Plus, laughing relaxes your muscles, easing that tension you’ve been carrying. Unless your tension comes from lugging a 28-pound “independent” toddler who refuses to walk independently at the most inconvenient times. That can make you laugh, though.
Laughter is essential because it makes your body release endorphins. Endorphins are those amazing feel-good chemicals that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside (1). And on top of that, laughter lowers cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone), helping to reduce tension (2). It’s no wonder that laughter relieves stress for parents!
Your Brain’s Response to Laughter
Laughter isn’t just a mood lifter—it’s a stress-fighter. It can ease feelings of anxiety and even help with depression (3). If you’re a new parent feeling overwhelmed, this is huge. Research shows that laughter helps improve mood and manage stress, making it easier to handle all the ups and downs of raising kids (4).
When you consider all these benefits, it’s clear why laughter relieves stress for parents. Parenthood requires more than survival – laughter helps you thrive, making parenting easier and more enjoyable.
You Can Be More Resilient with Laughter
Laughter isn’t just a quick fix—it’s a long-term investment in your emotional resilience. Finding humor in the chaos of everyday life is known as self-enhancing humor (6). Not only does this type of humor give you a quick mood boost, but it also helps build up your ability to handle stress over time (7). This is a must for parents who are constantly juggling new challenges. Whether you’re dealing with a toddler tantrum or trying to keep up with the endless demands of parenting, resilience is key. Consider adding more laughter to your daily routine! It can really help you develop the emotional strength needed to tackle the ups and downs of parenthood.
Simple Ways to Incorporate More Laughter and Relieve Stress
Making time for laughter every day doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. Here are some easy, fun ideas to help you bring more humor and joy into your life.
Simple Ways TO Laugh Daily
1. Find Humor in Everyday Moments
Parenthood is filled with funny and unique moments, like when your baby makes a silly face or something goes hilariously wrong. Try to see the humor in these situations. Jot down these funny moments in a journal or share them with friends and family. It’s a great way to appreciate the lighter side of parenting. For example, my parents still laugh about a diaper blowout I had in my walker. That laugh has lasted decades!
2. Include Activities That Make You Laugh
Add activities to your day that naturally bring out laughter. Whether it’s watching a comedy, reading a funny book, or playing a silly game, you can get a much-needed break from the stresses of daily life. For instance, my husband and son love reading “Taco Tuesday” together, which always gets them giggling—especially when read with silly voices!
3. Make a Habit of Taking “Laughter Breaks”
Why not set aside a few minutes each day for a “laughter break?” Why not set aside a few minutes each day for a “laughter break?” Whether it’s over breakfast, after dinner, or just before bed, take a moment to share a joke, watch a funny video, or tell a funny story from the day. Adding laughter to your routine can lift your spirits and bring you more joy. (Confession: I’m known to dance along to Mickey Mouse’s “Brush to the Beat” while my kids brush their teeth—it makes them giggle, and they actually brush their teeth—most of the time.)
4. Involve Your Kids in the Fun
Kids are naturally funny, energetic, and full of joy. Get in on the fun with them! Make silly faces, have impromptu “Dance Mode” moments, or play goofy games. We recently taught our son a knock-knock joke, and hearing him crack up at “The Interrupting Cow” joke could make anyone laugh. These joyful moments not only make your kids laugh but also give you a chance to unwind and share in the fun.
5. Use Humor to Diffuse Stressful Situations
When things get tense, try lightening the mood with a bit of humor. Whether cracking a joke when something goes wrong or turning a stressful moment into a playful challenge, humor can help reduce tension and change your perspective. (For some reason, my funniest stories seem to involve diapers—like the time my newborn daughter went poop mid-diaper change. I managed to dodge it, but the wall wasn’t so lucky!)
6. Embrace Lighthearted Entertainment
Surround yourself with things that make you laugh. Listen to funny podcasts, watch feel-good movies, or follow social media accounts that share hilarious content. A regular dose of humor can brighten up your day.
7. Combine Physical Activity with Laughter
Add a laughter element to make exercise fun. Have a playful dance session at home, set up an indoor obstacle course, or have a gentle pillow fight. Adding humor to your workouts can make them more enjoyable and easier to stick with.
8. Reflect on Fun Moments
Create a scrapbook or digital album filled with photos, positive notes, or special memories. It’s a wonderful way to lift your spirits and remind you of all the happy moments that can bring you a smile when you need it most.
Social Connections Make it Easy to Laugh
9. Spend Time with Humorous People
We’ve all been told that laughter is contagious. So, surround yourself with friends or family who bring joy and laughter into your life. Connecting with people who have a positive and humorous outlook can significantly reduce your stress.
10. Join a Laughter Club or Online Group
Did you know people meet up just to laugh? I knew about comedy clubs, but I’d never heard of laughter clubs before! If you enjoy socializing, consider joining a laughter club or an online community dedicated to humor. These groups often share funny stories, jokes, and laughter exercises, offering a source of joy even on the most challenging days.
Find New Ways to Laugh
BONUS: Consider Laughter Yoga or Laughter Therapy
I had never heard of laughter yoga before researching for this article; had you? Laughter yoga or laughter therapy sessions specifically stimulate laughter through playful exercises (8). These group activities can be a fun and effective way to relieve stress, meet other parents, and bring more laughter into your life.
Laughter Really Can Relieve Stress for Parents!
Parenting is a wild rollercoaster ride full of joy, but let’s be real—it can also be stressful. That’s why we shouldn’t underestimate the power of laughter to get us through the tough moments. Embracing humor not only makes us feel better and less stressed, but it also helps us become emotionally stronger as parents.
So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to find something that makes you laugh. Remember, laughter relieves stress for parents. It’s a simple step that can make a huge difference in your well-being and help you cherish the beautiful moments of parenthood.
It’s Your Turn to Share! How Do You Relieve Stress With Laughter?
When it comes to being a parent, nothing seems to go as planned, right? Sometimes, you just need a good laugh to get through the day. Ever had one of those moments where laughter made everything better? Whether it was a funny mishap or a lighthearted moment with your child, those are the moments worth sharing.
I’d love to hear your stories! Or tell me which way to add laughter to your life sounds like the most fun. Comment below or tag me on social media. I’m always down for a good laugh, and I’m sure other parents could use one, too.
And if you found these stress relief tips helpful, don’t keep them to yourself! Spread the smiles and share them with your parent-friends.
References and Further Reading:
Sources:
(1) Lee S. Berk, Stanley A. Tan, William F. Fry, Barbara J. Napier, Jerry W. Lee, Richard W. Hubbard, John E. Lewis, and William C. Eby. “Neuroendocrine and Stress Hormone Changes During Mirthful Laughter.” American Journal of the Medical Sciences, vol. 298, no. 6, 1989, pp. 390-396. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962915361929
(2) Kramer, C. K., & Leitao, C. B. (2023, May 23). Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286260
(3) Zhao, J., Yin, H., Zhang, G., Li, G., Shang, B., Wang, C., & Chen, L. (2019). A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials of laughter and humour interventions on depression, anxiety and sleep quality in adults. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(11), 2435-2448.
(4) Yim, J. (2016). Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical. Tohoku J. Exp. Med, 239(3), 243-249.
(5) Nuraly S. Akimbekov, Mohammed S. Razzaque. “Laughter therapy: A humor-induced hormonal intervention to reduce stress and anxiety.” *Current Research in Physiology* 4 (2021): 135-138. Print. ISSN 2665-9441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphys.2021.04.002
(6) E. Riggio, R. (2019). The 4 Styles of Humor. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201504/the-4-styles-humor
(7) Cann, A., & Collette, C. (2014). Sense of Humor, Stable Affect, and Psychological Well-Being. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 464-479. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i3.746
(8) Hatchard, A., & Worth, P. (2021). No laughing matter: Qualitative study of the impact of laughter yoga suggests stress inoculation. European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 5(2), 2397-7116.
Further Reading
Gonot-Schoupinsky, F., Neal, M., & Carson, J. (2024). The Positive Psychology of Laughter and Humour. Publisher. ISBN: 978-1-83753-835-5, eISBN: 978-1-83753-834-8