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Humor Therapy

Humor therapy (sometimes called therapeutic humor) uses the power of smiles and laughter to help support emotional well-being.

Humor therapy includes activities that help you laugh or smile, such as funny stories and videos, playful exercises, and humorous interactions with caregivers. Hospitals and clinics may offer humor carts with jokes, comics, or other lighthearted materials. Many health care providers have learned the value of providing a good laugh to those they care for.

Experts aren't sure how well humor therapy works. But laughter may improve your mood, reduce stress, and help with symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can support overall health.

Why It Is Done

Humor therapy is sometimes used to support emotional well-being and mental health. It may help reduce stress and lift your mood. It may also help you cope with challenges that come up when you're living with a chronic condition. Chronic conditions can affect mood and daily life. Humor therapy may help reduce feelings of helplessness, fear, or stress that often accompany illness.

Humor therapy is also sometimes helpful for caregivers, who may experience high stress. Caregivers and those they care for can practice humor therapy together, which may improve emotional well-being for both.

Risks

Humor therapy is completely safe. Because it is inexpensive, risk-free, and readily available, there is little reason not to try practicing humor therapy.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Credits

Current as of: October 1, 2025

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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Current as of: October 1, 2025

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.