Laughing, Giggling, and Chuckling My Way to Sleep

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.” — Irish Proverb

Comedians who have made me laugh over the years include Steve Martin, Gene Wilder, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield. Likewise, some of my favorite sitcoms have been Frasier, M*A*S*H, and either of the two Bob Newhart shows.

According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter has both short-term and long-term health benefits. Among the former is taking in oxygen-rich air, which stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles. Laughter also increases the release of feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It can also raise and then lower your heart rate and blood pressure, helping you to feel more relaxed. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce stress.

In the long-term, laughter helps your immune system work better by reducing the number of stress hormones, such as cortisol, that can weaken the immune system. Laughter also boosts certain immune cells that fight illness and relieve pain.

Meanwhile, sleep plays a critical role in maintaining overall physical and mental health. During sleep, the body undergoes cell repair, muscle recovery, and growth hormone release, which are vital for tissue regeneration and physical restoration. Adequate sleep also supports cardiovascular health, helps regulate blood pressure, improves metabolic function, and enhances the immune system by allowing the body to produce cytokines and other immune factors that fight infections, reducing the frequency and severity of illnesses

Sleep needs vary by age. For adults, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend at least 7 hours per night, while older adults may require 7–8 hours according to the National Institutes for Health (NIH). Children and adolescents require more, ranging from 10 –14 hours for young children to 8–10 hours for teenagers.

Chronic insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk of mortality and contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Sleep deficiency also increases the risk of accidents and injuries, including workplace incidents and motor vehicle crashes, due to fatigue and impaired alertness.

Sleep is also crucial for brain function, memory consolidation, and learning. During deep non-REM sleep, the brain stabilizes newly learned information, while REM sleep refines skills and integrates experiences into long-term memory. Sleep also facilitates neurological cleansing, removing metabolic waste and harmful proteins that accumulate during waking hours, which helps maintain cognitive efficiency and mental flexibility. Insufficient sleep can lead to impaired attention, slower reaction times, memory lapses, irritability, and mood disturbances.

Not surprisingly, the God who created us knew – and still knows today – the importance of both laughter and sleep. That’s why He inspired Solomon to write in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine”.

And in Psalm 127:2, Solomon wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.”

So, my friend, go have yourself a hearty laugh… and then hit the sack!

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” Psalm 3:5 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President