Why it's worth to laugh more?
Laughter is not only an expression of joy, it is healthy for our body, mind and soul.
Laughter is not only an expression of joy, it is healthy for our body, mind and soul.
How can humour strengthen resilience and foster a positive workplace culture? Cultivating a humorous mindset can strengthen our sense of self-efficacy, reduce stress, and foster team spirit. Consciously integrating small moments of joy and humour into everyday life can help us approach challenges with greater calm, tap into creative resources, and support both mental and physical well-being. Humour as a valuable element of workplace health management: fostering greater inner stability and ease – even in challenging and turbulent times.
Joy, lightness, and shared laughter are often missing from our everyday lives. Yet positive emotions are important resources for our well-being and resilience. That’s why it’s time to take humour seriously. There is even a field of research – gelotology, the scientific study of laughter – dedicated to exploring the effects of laughter and humour. Laughter is a complex human phenomenon that can help us regulate ourselves, reduce stress, and gain new perspectives. And most importantly: it’s fun!
Here are some scientifically proven benefits of laughter and humor:
Resilience is not only an individual competence. Teams and organisations can be resilient too – or they can lack resilience. A positive and appreciative workplace culture creates the foundation for people to remain capable, engaged, and effective even in times of change, pressure, and uncertainty. Positive leadership fosters trust, appreciation, and personal responsibility. When people feel safe to share their ideas and openly address challenges, stronger teams, greater creativity, and better solutions can emerge.
Humor, lightness, and shared joy are often underestimated as resources for resilience. Yet resilience doesn’t always require major changes or complex methods. Often, it’s the small moments in everyday life that can make the biggest difference.
Resilience is the ability to cope with stress, crises, and challenging situations, adapt to change, and maintain or regain our ability to act effectively.
Resilience does not mean always being strong or coping with challenges without experiencing negative emotions. It is a dynamic process in which we draw on personal and social resources to navigate challenges and maintain our well-being.
Especially in today’s world, characterised by constant stimulation, increasing stress, high demands, and ongoing change, resilience is becoming an essential skill. The good news is that resilience can be developed. Self-awareness, mindfulness, self-efficacy, and consciously recognising and using our own resources can all help strengthen personal resilience.
In a world full of distractions, it can be powerful to pause for a moment, reconnect with our bodies, and be fully present with ourselves – free from thoughts, expectations, and preconceived ideas. Simply allowing ourselves to be with what is and practising not to take ourselves too seriously. Consciously integrating laughter and humor into everyday life can support our long-term physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In other words: preventive health care that is fun! It’s not about laughing all the time. Rather, it’s about being able to shift our mood when we don’t feel like laughing, look at situations from a different perspective, and put things we cannot change into perspective.
That’s where laughter and humor can become powerful tools for resilience, well-being, and a more joyful life.
Laugh daily. You don’t need a reason to do so. It’s a choice. Just laugh because it’s good for your health, your relationships and your overall well-being – or as Helsana says so well in this video: Laugh, it strengthens. Long live life.