The value of laughter in the corporate world: A powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety

Keywords: laughter, anxiety, stress, connection, mentalhealth, leadership

Date: 12 May 2025, WorkLife Digital

In today’s high-pressure corporate environment, stress and mental health challenges are increasingly common. While organisations increasingly invest in wellness programs and mindfulness training, one often-overlooked yet highly effective tool for fostering well-being is laughter. Recent scientific research highlights that laughter is not just a spontaneous response to humour but a powerful, evidence-based intervention for reducing stress, alleviating anxiety, and supporting mental health in the workplace.

Laughter and stress reduction: The science

Laughter’s ability to reduce stress is well-documented. When we laugh, our bodies undergo physiological changes that counteract the effects of stress. Notably, laughter leads to a significant reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that laughter interventions - whether through watching comedy, laughter yoga, or guided laughter therapy - can reduce cortisol levels by up to 37% compared to control groups. This reduction is meaningful, as elevated cortisol is linked to chronic stress, burnout, and a host of physical and mental health issues.

Even a single session of laughter has been shown to decrease cortisol by nearly 37%, with the effect being even greater when measured via salivary cortisol, indicating a rapid and robust stress-relieving response. This aligns with findings from the Mayo Clinic, which notes that laughter can relax the body, ease tension, and leave muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after laughing.

Laughter’s impact on anxiety and depression

Laughter is more than just a mood booster. Multiple studies have shown that laughter therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. For example, a 2023 systematic review of 15 experimental studies found that laughter therapy was effective in reducing both anxiety and depression in hospitalized adults and children. While most of these studies focused on clinical populations, the implications for corporate settings are significant: anxiety and depression are among the leading causes of absenteeism and decreased productivity in the workplace.

A randomised controlled trial conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically evaluated the effects of online laughter therapy on corporate employees working from home. The study found that participants who engaged in laughter therapy twice a week for four weeks experienced a statistically significant reduction in depression compared to a control group. Although the effects on anxiety and stress were less pronounced in this particular study, the evidence suggests that laughter can be a valuable adjunct to traditional mental health interventions for employees.

Neurochemical and physiological benefits

The benefits of laughter extend beyond psychological well-being. Laughter triggers the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, all of which play crucial roles in mood regulation and emotional resilience. Endorphins act as natural painkillers and mood elevators, while serotonin helps regulate mood and counteracts symptoms of depression. These neurochemical changes help explain why laughter is often described as a natural antidepressant.

Furthermore, laughter has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, and to enhance immune function by increasing the production of immune cells and antibodies. These physiological changes not only support overall health but also contribute to a greater sense of well-being and resilience in the face of workplace stressors.

Laughter and social connection

In the corporate environment, social isolation and a lack of connection can exacerbate stress and mental health challenges. Laughter is inherently social; it fosters connection, breaks down barriers, and encourages a sense of camaraderie among colleagues. Shared laughter can strengthen team bonds, improve communication, and promote a positive workplace culture, all of which are critical for long-term organizational success.

Practical applications for organisations

Given the robust evidence supporting the mental health benefits of laughter, organisations should consider integrating laughter-based interventions into their wellness strategies. Options include:

Incorporating humour and light-hearted activities into team meetings or retreats to foster a more relaxed and creative atmosphere.
Encouraging a culture of positivity and playfulness, where appropriate, to help employees recharge and build resilience.
Laughter yoga or laughter therapy sessions, either in-person or online, as part of regular wellness programming.

Laughter is a low-cost, accessible, and scientifically validated tool for managing stress, reducing anxiety and depression, and enhancing overall mental health in the workplace. By embracing laughter as part of a holistic approach to employee well-being, organisations can foster a healthier, more resilient workforce - and create a corporate culture where people thrive, even in the face of daily pressures.

Measure your own personal mental health here and identify your mental health risk areas.

WorkLife Digital is a global mental-wellbeing consultancy driven by the mission to improve the sustainability of businesses. Our psychological wellbeing tool, Worklife Quotient (WL-Q), is modelled on cutting-edge scientific research and provides organisation-wide measurement and intelligence on the mental wellbeing levels and psychological resilience of staff. WL-Q also assesses the impact of organisational practices (i.e. people and culture, leadership styles, organisational purpose and values, social impact) that have a direct influence on staff wellbeing and provides strategic recommendations on addressing risks and promoting strengths.

For more information, get in touch at lisa@worklife.digital

REFERENCES

Kramer CK, Leitao CB. Laughter as medicine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies evaluating the impact of spontaneous laughter on cortisol levels. PLoS One. 2023
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10204943/

SOBALVARRO JV, PEREIRA GA, DOMINICCI AP, SANTOS-JUNIOR GA, SILVA JD, BAVARESCO M, REIS TM. Effectiveness of laughter therapy on anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hosp Pharm Health]. 2023
https://jhphs.org/sbrafh/article/view/906