Does laughing have a stress-buffering effect in daily life? An intensive longitudinal study

This longitudinal study examined whether laughter can reduce stress symptoms following stressful events in daily life. Forty-one university students recorded their experiences of stress and laughter frequency over 14 days using a smartphone app. Results showed that frequent laughter significantly weakened the relationship between stressful events and subsequent stress symptoms. However, the intensity of laughter had no measurable effect. The study supports laughter as a practical and accessible stress-buffering tool, emphasizing its role in mental well-being.

Engage in frequent laughter through daily interactions, watching comedies, or participating in group activities. While this study suggests laughter can buffer stress in the short term, it is based on a small and homogeneous sample of young adults, limiting its generalizability. Broader studies are needed to validate its effects across diverse populations and stress levels.