As a married couple, we make an intentional effort to carve out a little bit of time to talk and share the details about the happenings of our day every evening. As we continue to talk, we always end up laughing. Life can be hard and it feels great to come home to a person who truly understands you and your sense of humor. It has been said that laughter is good for the soul. However, in the marital context, laughing together is like therapy. It relieves tension and releases an inner playfulness that helps to keep the flame burning. After being together for 23 years, the secret sauce to our happiness is prayer, communication, and laughter. We urge all couples to spend time together having playful moments and engaging in laughter.
Laughter has so many benefits. Let’s consider three reasons why laughter can make a difference in your life and your marriage.
Increases connection. Laughing can help you feel more connected to your spouse. Whether an inside joke or experiencing laughs together at a comedy show, laughing together builds memories and is often quite contagious. How many times have you brought up a funny moment from the past, relived the moment with your spouse, and felt even more connected after a good belly laugh?
Decreases stress. According to the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies approximately 20% of all married couples experience marital distress at any given time. This is where laughter shines! Whether stress in relationships stems from issues on the job, finances, child rearing, or the relationship itself, laughter decreases the stress hormone cortisol.
Boosts immunity. In marriage we commit to supporting our spouse in sickness and in health, but nobody likes being sick! Whether it’s the latest cold or flu bug or a more serious illness, laughter can help strengthen immunity by increasing antibody-producing cells and increasing the effectiveness of T-cells. So, go ahead and have a good laugh. It may help you feel physically better too!
Written by: Dr. Ron Woodard and Dr. Cicely Woodard
Authors of Keeping the Stars Aligned: A Christian Couple’s Guide to Raising Morale in Relationships (2014)
