Can laughter help you sleep better?

The unexpected stress relief tool you might be missing from your bedtime routine. 

Can you remember the last time you really laughed?

Not a polite smile. Not a quiet chuckle. 

But a proper, full-body, can't breathe belly laugh.

For many us, that kind of joy has become....rare. Life gets busy. It gets serious. We've got responsibilities, deadlines, kid's football kits to wash, dinners to cook, emails to reply too. It's no wonder laughter slips down the list.

However, laughter isn't just lighthearted fun. It's therapy. It's medicine. And it's even a sleep aid.

Laughter and Sleep: What's the connection?

You might think of laughter as emotional, but its effects are deeply physical especially when it comes to stress, tension, and how your body prepares for rest.

When you laugh, your body does something beautiful:

• Cortisol levels drop - that's your stress hormone, the same one that peaks when your mind races at 3am.
• Endorphins rise, helping you feel calm, connected, and safe. 
• You breathe more deeply, expanding your lungs and oxygenating your blood.
• And here's the magic - your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in. That's the system responsible for "rest and digest" mode. The one we're always trying to activate before bed.

A 2023 study published in The Journal of Integrative Medicine found that laughter therapy improved sleep quality and decreased anxiety in adults experiencing insomnia. It literally resets your nervous system in the most joyful way.

So why aren't we making space for more of it?

Here are some genuinely easy ways to bring more joy into your wind-down routine.

PAIR LAUGHTER WITH YOUR BATH RITUAL.

Put on a feel-good podcast, an old comedy show, or voice note a funny friend while soaking in The Z's Bath Soak. The blend of magnesium and CBD eases physical tension, while laughter softens the emotional load.

MASSAGE IN CALM.

Post-bath, smooth Among the Stars body oil into your skin. Let the calming botanicals and rich oils work their magic while you replay your favourite funny moment of the day in your mind. It's like giving your nervous system a hug.

WRITE DOWN THE THINGS THAT MADE YOU LAUGH.

Try a joy journal. It trains your brain to seek out joy even in the smallest places and helps you drift off with a smile instead of a mental to-do list.

Let yourself laugh. Let yourself rest.

Laughter is powerful. It's primal. It's healing. And it's one of the most underrated tools we have for improving our sleep and emotional wellbeing. And don't forget laughter during the day also counts towards a good night's sleep.

So tonight skip the doom scrolling. 

Watch that silly video. Call your funniest friend.

Take a deep breath. Soak. Smile