The Best Medicine: Why Laughter Really Is What's Good

What’s Good?

Welcome to an exploration of nature's most powerful (and enjoyable!) stress reliever. Today we'll dive into the fascinating science of why laughing makes us feel so good, and how sharing a laugh might be one of the most meaningful ways to spread goodness. In this edition, we'll:

• Discover why laughter is literally contagious

• Learn how giggles transform our bodies and brains

• Take on a joy-inducing challenge

Fireflies

Let these bright lights help amplify your daily dose of joy:

• We keep spreading the Laurie Santos love. The Happiness Lab podcast explores the science of joy and frequently features episodes about the power of humor and laughter

• Alan Alda’s Never Have Your Dog Stuffed… is one of the most enjoyable and funniest autobiographies out there. Not only will you find yourself laughing out loud, you’ll also be moved to tears, and end up taking notes on the invaluable life lessons from this legend of comedy.

• Action for Happiness offers free resources including their popular "Laugher Club" guides and joy-building calendar challenges

• Social Media Follow of the Week: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards offers a daily dose of natural humor that reminds us not to take life too seriously - their gallery combines genuine wildlife photography with perfectly timed moments of pure joy. This WILL make you smile

What’s Good Merch

Spread smiles wherever you go! Visit The What’s Good Store to grab gear that sparks conversations about gratitude.

All Smiles and Giggles

Here's something remarkable: your body can't tell the difference between a fake laugh and a real one. Both trigger the same cascade of positive effects:

• Release of endorphins (nature's painkillers)

• Decrease in stress hormones like cortisol

• Increased oxygen flow to organs

• Strengthened immune system response

• Activated reward circuits in the brain

But here's where it gets even more interesting: laughter is the only contagious behavior that's universal across all human cultures. When you laugh, you're not just improving your own well-being – you're literally contributing to the health of those around you.

Think about the last time you had a really good laugh. Maybe it wasn't even about something particularly funny. Maybe it was just that moment of connection, of shared humanity, of letting go. That's because laughter isn't just about humor – it's one of our most powerful tools for building bonds and spreading goodness.

Studies show that children laugh an average of 300 times per day, while adults average only 17. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that joy is a serious business. But the good news? Your laugh muscles are always ready for a workout.

Reflective Laughter

Find a quiet moment (after a good chuckle, perhaps?) and consider:

1. What made me laugh today/this week? (Really laugh, not just smile)

2. Who in my life helps me find more reasons to laugh?

3. Were there any moments this week where I prevented myself from laughing and chose sulking instead?

4. How can I create more opportunities for shared laughter tomorrow/next week?

Bonus Step: share your own laughter triggers and “what’s good” here. Shared joy is multiplied!

From the WGP Community

Here’s a “what’s good” from our community that really touches on the last issue’s theme of “compound goodness” that can result from a shift in mindset:

Spread goodness

Laughter really is contagious – in the best possible way. Forward this newsletter to someone who makes you laugh, or someone who might need a reminder to embrace more joy in their day. They can subscribe below.

Did you know?

P.S. A Fun Fact: The average person is 30 times more likely to laugh in social situations than when alone, highlighting laughter's role as a social bonding tool. This suggests that sharing laughter might be one of the most powerful ways to build connections and spread goodness.