Laughing for Longevity: How Laughter Clubs Boost Mental and Physical Health

Written by: Muskan Shah, Moitrayee Das

Children laugh around 300 times a day, while adults barely manage an average of just 17 laughs a day (Fenwick).

Laughter is one of the most widely used forms of nonverbal communication, recognised across communities and cultures around the globe. It is unconscious, instinctive, and contagious (Provine, 2004). The simple act of moving your muscles to form that upward tilt can have monumental impacts on your health. Laughter can improve your overall psychological wellbeing—it can induce feelings of happiness, increase positive affect, lower stress levels, enhance positive coping, and improve cognitive processing (Foley et al., 2002; Yim, 2016). An improved mental state often spills over into better physical wellbeing; higher resilience and healthier coping mechanisms can strongly support medical interventions. Research so far has shown that laughter can influence blood pressure, immunity, and pain tolerance, among other factors, with plenty of scope for further study (Martin, 2002). Based on these findings, laughing clubs and laughter yoga have gained popularity worldwide, with thousands actively participating (Strean, 2009).

The Rise of Laughing Clubs

In laughing clubs, what begins as forced laughter often leaves individuals feeling happier, lighter, and more positive than when they entered. The reason is explained by the Facial Feedback Theory (Kataria, 2024), which suggests that if you wish to experience a certain emotion, you can act it out to provoke it. In other words, if you smile, you will feel happier—even if the emotion wasn’t there to begin with.

In a laughing club, the eye contact and group dynamics help participants connect with one another. As humans, we are inherently social, and because laughter is contagious, being in a space where others are laughing naturally draws you in. And as the theory suggests, simply engaging in the physical act of laughing can instantly elevate your mood.

In Karnataka, the All Karnataka Laughter Club has reported at least 200 clubs that conduct regular sessions (Yashaswini, 2024). Bengaluru has the highest number, with some clubs more than 25 years old. Many of these gatherings are informal and organised by local residents. Members meet early in the morning or late in the evening and laugh their hearts out. Professionals from different fields, people of all ages, and individuals from diverse backgrounds come together for an hour of collective laughter, leaving aside the worries of the day.

Benefits of Joining a Laughing Club

Participating in a laughing club—even occasionally—can bring mental peace and improve physical health. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, the “happy chemicals” that make you feel lighter and more joyful. These endorphins, combined with dopamine (another feel-good chemical), help you relax, reduce stress, relieve pain temporarily, and improve your mood instantly.

Additionally, laughing loudly increases the intake of oxygenated air, helping your heart and muscles function more smoothly and boosting overall circulation. The benefits don’t end there. Laughter also strengthens immunity; the happiness it generates encourages positive thoughts, which trigger the release of neuropeptides that help fight stress and illness. Many people continue to experience reduced pain even after the laughter stops.

Through these mechanisms, laughter helps you better cope with daily stressors and increases your sense of life satisfaction. Engaging with laughing clubs can also foster social connection and improve self-esteem over time.

Taking That First Step

Joining a laughing club can feel overwhelming at first. Meeting strangers and immediately laughing aloud together may seem unrealistic or intimidating. Humans naturally fear judgement, which can make us more inhibited in social settings. So before you join a laughing club, you can try something simple: laugh at yourself. Hold up your phone or stand before a mirror and laugh. You may be surprised by how quickly the act lifts your mood and motivates you to join a group.

When you feel ready, Bengaluru offers numerous laughing clubs—organised by associations or local communities, many of which are listed on platforms like Google. You can observe a session, attend just one to start with, or take a friend along. Search for clubs in your area or contact your housing society office, and try out different groups until you find the one that feels right for you.

Citation

Fenwick, C. (n.d.). Connecting Laughter, Humor and Good Health. University of Kentucky. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/sites/fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/files/hsw-caw-807_0.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj92pa8w4uLAxW_SGcHHfNiAmkQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1YV1uz2JZxs9wz4VHUUM47

Foley, E., Matheis, R., & Schaefer, C. (2002). Effect of Forced Laughter on Mood. Psychological Reports, 90(1), 184-184. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2002.90.1.184

Kataria, M. (2024, September 3). Can forced laughter lead to real laughter?. Laughter Yoga International. https://www.laughteryoga.org/blogs/can-forced-laughter-lead-to-real-laughter/

Provine, R. R. (2004). Laughing, Tickling, and the Evolution of Speech and Self. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 13(6), 215-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00311.x

Martin, R. A. (2002). Is Laughter the Best Medicine? Humor, Laughter, and Physical Health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(6), 216-220. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.00204

Strean W. B. (2009). Laughter prescription. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 55(10), 965–967.

Yashaswini. (2024, May 26). Bengaluru Parks Regain Their Lost Laughter. The Times of India.

Yim, J. (2016). Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review, 239(3), 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1620/tjem.239.243

Muskan Shah is postgraduate student at Christ University, and Moitrayee Das is assistant professor of Psychology at FLAME University, Pune.