Laughter and joy therapy

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In a world where wellness is often measured by prescriptions, test results and treatment plans, healing can also be nurtured by what comes from within us. It asks very little. Only the willingness to smile, laugh and find moments of joy even when circumstances are far from perfect. Laughter and joy are human experiences and resilience tools long recognized as meaningful companions to traditional healing.

Laughing does not erase pain, but it can soften its edges. Science tells us that it releases endorphins, lowers stress hormones, improves circulation, and boosts the immune system. Even a brief chuckle can relax tense muscles and gently shift our mood.

Joy, meanwhile, is not dependent on constant happiness. It is a deeper sense of lightness, an inner permission to feel hopeful, connected and alive, even when living with unpredictability.

Unlike many wellness trends, laughter and joy therapy cost nothing and have no side effects. They can happen anywhere: in hospital clinics, dining rooms, or quiet moments alone. They show up in shared memories, inside jokes, funny stories, and the gentle absurdities of daily life. Sometimes, laughter arrives unexpectedly—right when it is most needed.

Just before a major surgery, one of my doctors ribbed an attending nurse about successfully buying a much-coveted online ticket for a Taylor Swift concert in Singapore, only to be unable to use it. The nurse shared that she had asked permission to take a vacation leave. Sadly, due to limited manpower, her superior could not approve the request. Worse, work demands prevented her from selling the ticket. Another doctor tried to console her by joking that she shouldn’t feel too bad—after all, no one else in the room got to see the concert either.

Then a calm, steady voice comes from a figure lying on the operating table. Mine.

“Oh, I did,” I said. “My doctor allowed me to reschedule my first treatment so I could go.”

Two minutes of loud, heartfelt laughter erupted. Suddenly, the men and women in scrub suits and masks felt less daunting, and my impending surgery less frightening. In that moment, joy eased fear in a way no medication could.

Joy therapy extends beyond humor. It includes music that lifts the spirit, moments of gratitude, creative expression, time with loved ones, and small rituals that bring comfort. Lighting a candle, savoring a warm cup of tea, or stepping outside to feel the sun—these simple acts show us that beauty still exists, even amid life’s hardships.

From a faith perspective, joy holds a special place in spiritual life. Scripture often speaks of happiness not as the absence of suffering, but as something that can coexist with it. This cheerfulness is rooted in trust that God remains present in uncertainty, and that love endures even when answers do not. It is the quiet assurance that reminds us we are not alone.

Faith-based joy is never about denying pain or forcing positivity. Instead, it invites gentleness toward oneself. A smile offered in prayer, gratitude whispered in the middle of worry, or a joke shared with a friend can all be forms of grace. Saints throughout history were known not only for endurance, but also for humor, warmth and deep humanity.

In daily life, laughter and joy therapy can be practiced simply and intentionally:

Gentle ways to invite laughter and joy

• Watch or read something lighthearted, even for just ten minutes
• Spend time with people who make you feel safe and understood
• Recall a happy or funny memory and allow yourself to linger in it
• Listen to uplifting music or sing along, even softly
• Begin or end the day by naming one small thing you are grateful for

These practices are not meant to replace medical care, but to complement it. They nurture the emotional and spiritual self—the parts of us that also need tending during times of stress or illness.

When life feels heavy, laughter becomes an act of courage, and joy a quiet form of resistance. Both demonstrate that healing is not only about fixing what is broken, but also about honoring what still shines. Sometimes, the most healing and joyful gift we can receive is an uninhibited, shared laugh—unexpected, sincere and deeply human.