Throughout history, humans have used comedy to make each other laugh, provide entertainment, and diffuse difficult topics or situations, such as this one from when my daughter was young:

Laura: <ignoring her food at dinner>
Me: “Eat your vegetables.”
Laura: “I don’t like them.”
Me: “Come on! Give peas a chance.”
Laura: <unamused look>

Much like vegetables, humor provides a gold mine of health benefits. But to make sure you get in your RDA (recommended daily absurdity), you must first understand why it’s so good for your body and mind.

The healing benefits of humor 

Depending on who you talk to, the number of humor categories at our disposal range from four to dozens, including physical (slapstick), cerebral (satire), and ridiculous (dad jokes). Regardless of the type, however, almost all elicit a reaction from us physiologically, physically, and emotionally. Calms us down and picks us up We know that laughing makes us feel good, but why? It all starts in the brain. As we process and respond to humorous situations, our brains signal our bodies to reduce our levels of stress hormones like cortisol and increase our dopamine and endorphins. This causes us to feel less stress, anxiety, tension, and sadness and instead experience an overall sense of calmness—all of which are also prime conditions for better sleep.

Given humor’s impact on stress, it’s no surprise that studies have also connected it with improved heart health. In the short term, laughter has been shown to increase circulation and oxygen intake, which can lead to long-term effects like a more regulated heart rate and blood pressure and a decreased risk for heart attacks. Science has even found that a good laugh can rev up your immune system.

Furthermore, humor is also thought to not only help you remember (by improving memory) but also forget (physical pain you’re experiencing). In fact, you may occasionally come across medical clowns, providing what’s known as “clown care,” at hospitals and other health care facilities using humor to brighten the days of children and adults alike.

Teaches us

Another fascinating aspect of humor is what it teaches us about ourselves, whether we’re the providers of it or recipients of it. For example, many a comedian has been known to latch on to humor as a tool for overcoming an issue like shyness, social anxiety, or trauma. By being open and joking about it, humorists can both find an avenue for processing and working through it and help scores of others dealing with the same problem get through it via a good belly laugh. In the same vein, you may find yourself laughing at a self-deprecating friend’s humor and then realize that maybe you shouldn’t always take yourself so seriously. A recent UK study found that even lighthearted, painfully unfunny dad jokes can help kids learn to deal with embarrassment or awkwardness better.

Similarly, humor can help you uncover where your priorities lie and your boundaries are drawn. If your partner tends to be too sarcastic, you can sit them down and explain why it can be hurtful and how it reflects negatively on them. When you change the channel on a comedian whose jokes you feel border on bullying, you may feel more compelled to take a stand in everyday life. Such discoveries can reveal an inner strength you may not have realized you had.

Bonds us

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, humor can be an incredibly useful way to form meaningful connections with others, both platonic and romantic. The closest friendships are often formed between people who share similar traits, including what they find funny. For example, similarly sarcastic friends will likely understand each other better, forming a unique bond. Humorous opposites can also attract: many friendships flourish with the classic “straight man-funny man” dynamic. In addition, research shows that humor is a strong factor in romantic attraction and that shared laughter can be a key to having a healthy, lasting relationship. After all, there’s nothing quite as bonding as laughing with friends, partners, and other loved ones and finding the humor together throughout life’s journey.

Humor is a gift, a laughing-out-loud means to brighten someone’s day, take away hurts, form connections, and find your place in the world. So go ahead: giggle, guffaw, or groan at comedy. It will do your heart, mind, and body some good.