Although it may seem trivial, laughter is important to us. There's a misconception that laughing frequently is a sign of immaturity and is not, therefore, suited for adults. However, researchers say the opposite: everyone needs to laugh to feel better. What's more, it might even help us feel less lonely.
A 2023 German study found that laughing during socialization with people can be especially beneficial. In contrast to laughter triggered by any sort of digital media, in-person chuckles can help us fight loneliness, social isolation, and even social withdrawal. "Laughing during conversations and cultural events is consistently linked to these outcomes," the researchers concluded.
Have you ever counted how many times a day you laugh? In 2024, researchers in Austria gave participants wrist wearables to measure how many times a day they laughed. They found that, on average, a person has 2.5 belly laughs per day and a fit of laughter every fourth day.
They also found that women and younger participants were more likely to laugh more often. Personality also played a part: open and conscientious people laughed more frequently. Those who don't laugh are really missing out. Those who aren't afraid to enjoy a chuckle or two report better life satisfaction and increased happiness.
Let's not beat around the bush, Pandas – we're stressed. Economic uncertainty, global conflict, and burnout culture have got us all wishing we could go back to the times when things were much simpler. Researchers systematically find that people rely on humor to cope during difficult global events.
The pandemic was the most recent example, with experts pointing out how people leaned on online communities and meme culture to make sense of things. While some warn that people may use humor to deflect and trivialize serious challenges, others claim that humor helps to "enhance well-being and social relationships," the things we need during the COVID-19 years.
If doomscrolling and the endless barrage of bad news have your anger level at an all-time high, laughter can help, too. As a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Ryan Martin, Ph.D., writes for Psychology Today, "the psychological state of finding something funny is incompatible with the psychological state of anger." Even if for a quick moment, humor can take a person out of an angry mood.
Laughing when angry can also help take us out of the moment and look at things with a fresh perspective. "Taking time to recognize the silliness of your recent thought that the person in the car in front of you is a total idiot or that not being able to find your car keys ruined the entire day can help give you some much-needed perspective, and help you cope with frustrating situations," Martin writes.
What's your go-to solution for when you need laughter, Pandas? Are memes the best medicine when it comes to stress and anger? Let us know your smart hacks in the comments! To keep laughing, check out some more memes that have no business being this funny and these moments when the universe decided to give the middle finger to one person in particular.
