When headlines feel heavy, a good laugh can reset your day. The benefits of laughter go beyond a quick mood boost: research suggests it can lower stress, relax your body, and even support heart health. Let’s explore the power of laughter and how you can infuse more of it into your life.

Why Laughter Helps When Life Feels Shaky

A genuine laugh does you measurable good, even – and especially – in the midst of hardship, stress, and uncertainty. The many benefits of laughter include:

• Stress relief: Laughter interrupts the fight-or-flight loop and lowers stress hormones, helping your body reset. Even brief bursts can shift you toward a calmer baseline.
• Muscle relaxation: A laugh loosens tight areas such as the neck, shoulders, and jaw. That whole-body shake releases tension you may not realize you’re carrying.
• Heart and circulation support: Deeper breathing and a short rise in heart rate increase oxygen and blood flow. Afterward, your cardiovascular system settles into a steadier rhythm. Laughter has also been associated with decreased inflammation markers in the blood, which points to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Mood chemistry: Laughter triggers endorphins and dopamine, boosting mood, motivation, and pain tolerance. An improved mood can help everyday challenges feel a little more manageable.
• Social connection: We laugh more with others, which builds trust and belonging. Shared humor reduces isolation and strengthens relationships.
• Resilience and coping: Humor creates psychological distance from problems, making them feel smaller. That shift helps you reframe setbacks and regain a sense of control.
• Immune support: By dialing down chronic stress, laughter can support immune function. Over time, that can mean better sleep, steadier energy, and a healthier baseline.
• Cognitive flexibility and creativity: Humor nudges your brain to make fresh associations and see problems from new angles. That mental flexibility can spark creative ideas and better problem-solving.

How to Find More Comedy in Your Life

Because a good sense of humor brings so many benefits to your life, it’s always a good idea to learn how to laugh more. Thankfully, a little intention goes a long way. To weave more humor into your routine, try these practical ideas:

• Plan a comedy break: Add a 10-minute block on your calendar for stand-up clips, late-night monologues, or a funny podcast.
• Build a laugh list: Save comedians, shows, and improv troupes you love into a playlist so you can press play when stress spikes.
• Share the joke: Humor is contagious; swap memes or one-liners with friends, family, or coworkers to boost social connection.
• Try an improv or stand-up class: Even beginners’ workshops lighten the mood and teach quick-thinking skills you can use anywhere.
• Go analog: Keep a favorite cartoon book or comic on your nightstand for a screen-free lift before bed.
• Make it a date: Bookmark local live comedy calendars and aim for one stand-up comedy or improv comedy night a month.

Think of humor like a daily walk: short, repeatable, and good for you. Put a sticky note on your monitor that says, “laugh break,” follow a couple of comics you love, and pick a local show to anchor your month. Live or on demand, small doses add up, and these choices will compound into better mood, lower stress, and a stronger sense of community.

The Special Joy of Live Comedy

Streaming specials are great, but live comedy amplifies the benefits. Laughter is a social reflex; we laugh more in groups, and shared joy deepens our sense of belonging. A theater full of people chuckling together is a natural community builder – the kind of moment that helps you exhale when news cycles won’t.

Spotlight: Comedy Shows at Gorton Center

If you’re in the North Shore or greater Chicagoland area, make Gorton Center in Lake Forest your go-to for comedy nights. We regularly host stand-up events and touring headliners. Check our lineup for upcoming comedy shows and events, such as special stand-up nights and visiting comedians – and bring friends to boost the laughs!

Our currently upcoming shows include:

Fall Down, Standup! on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7 pm. This comedy show features four talented comedians who are sure to bring the laughs! After the standup performances, stick around for an improv Q&A session, where the comedians will answer your burning questions spontaneously and hilariously!

Matthew Broussard on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm. A stand-up comedian known for his sharp wit, clever punchlines, and self-deprecating humor, Matthew somehow makes being brainy look hilarious – even when he’s the butt of the joke. He brings a unique perspective to the stage, shaped by his background as the son of a Cajun chemist and a Jewish microbiologist. Whether he’s making fun of his looks or dropping casual math references, he delivers laughs with style and precision.

Ready to feel lighter? Gorton Center brings the community together with live comedy, music, film, and more. Check our calendar, grab seats for an upcoming comedy show, and make laughter a fun addition to your wellness routine.

Gorton Center is a nonprofit center for the arts and a gathering place at the heart of Lake Forest, Illinois. We offer a wide range of classes for all ages, professional live music and events and a wide range of film screenings. Help us provide vibrant social experiences and exceptional arts and culture by supporting our work today!