Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Here’s some good news for your Thursday . . . it turns out laughter really might be the best medicine. A new study showed that laughter plays a major role in helping children learn, connect, and grow. Researchers found that when children laugh, their brains are hard at work building skills that support creativity, memory, and emotional well-being. And they found that laughter lowers stress hormones like cortisol, while boosting feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins (the chemical not the band). It also increases oxytocin, which helps strengthen the bond between parents and their kids. Joyful play is especially important because it helps kids feel safe and happy. So, the takeaway: more laughter and more play are good for the soul (in children AND adults). Kids don’t need another app, they need somebody making fart noises in the living room calling it “developmental science”.