- RetireHub
- Posts
- The Science of Laughter and Its Healing Effects
The Science of Laughter and Its Healing Effects
Trivia: What is the brightest star in the night sky?
RetireHub
December 12, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Friday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on The Science of Laughter and Its Healing Effects, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Happy Holidays from RetireHub!
To celebrate — we’re giving away a free cruise ($900 value) on December 31st. If you want to pack your bags and ship out on the open sea, all you need to do is signup to be a RetireHub Premium member!
In addition to getting an entry into the Free Cruise Giveaway, you’ll also receive:
Premium only quizzes and games
Free courses for financial planning, health & wellness, and more
The knowledge that you’re supporting the largest online community of 50+ year old Americans
…and exclusive deals and savings
All this for less than $5/mo.
Regardless of if you become an RH Premium member or not, we wish you and yours the happiest of holidays.
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
🔥 24% OFF – TOSY Magnet Pyramid Stone (Holographic Desk Toy)
Add a mesmerizing touch to your workspace with this holographic magnet pyramid that spins, balances, and dances with light. Its smooth motion and hypnotic reflections make it a perfect fidget-friendly desk companion, helping with focus, stress relief, and creative inspiration. A fun gift for gadget lovers or anyone who appreciates a little desk magic.
🖨 53% OFF – HP Wireless Printer (Single-Band Connectivity)
Handle everyday printing with ease using this compact wireless HP printer, ideal for home offices, homework stations, or quick document needs. It connects seamlessly to your devices, delivers crisp prints, and fits neatly into small spaces. A dependable, budget-friendly option for anyone needing simple, reliable printing without clutter or complication.
💜 27% OFF – Lavender Scented Crystal Candle (Aromatherapy Gift Set)
Unwind with this beautifully crafted lavender-scented crystal candle, featuring calming fragrance and embedded healing stones for a touch of serenity. It creates a soothing ambiance perfect for bedtime routines, meditation sessions, or self-care evenings. A thoughtful, elegant gift that brings relaxation, beauty, and peaceful vibes into any home.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Hayley Summers A Christmas Family Reunion. The Love Of Her Life She Hasn’t Seen In Years. A Return Home For Angela This Christmas In Mistletoe Harbor. A touching Christmas women’s fiction series that will warm your heart with themes of family, second chances, and the beauty of the holiday spirit, The Gift Of Christmas Love series is a feel-good read |
 | By: Carly Winter Deck the halls with…a dead body? When Mrs. Claus is found dead, the sheriff threatens to cancel the Christmas Festival unless the killer is found. Former soap opera star Samantha Jones and her 1980s-obsessed friend, Annabelle, dive into the investigation to save Heywood’s event. Can they unmask the killer, or will they become the next victims? |
On this day in 1915, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. He grew up to become one of the most iconic American singers of the 20th century, known for his smooth phrasing, impeccable timing, and timeless hits like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” and “New York, New York.” His influence on music, film, and popular culture remains unmatched.
The Science of Laughter and Its Healing Effects
Laughter may feel like a simple, joyful reaction, but beneath the chuckles and belly laughs lies an incredible scientific process that can brighten mood, strengthen the body, and even deepen social bonds. When we laugh, the brain releases a cocktail of feel-good chemicals—endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin—that help reduce stress, lift the spirit, and create a sense of connection with those around us. The act of laughing also relaxes the body by lowering cortisol (our stress hormone), loosening tight muscles, and sending calming signals throughout the nervous system. Cardiologists have even found that a hearty laugh increases blood flow, supports heart health, and may help protect the lining of blood vessels, offering benefits that stack up over time.
What’s even more fascinating is that the body doesn’t entirely distinguish between real and “intentional” laughter. Studies on laughter yoga and group laughter therapy show that even choosing to laugh—without a joke or funny moment—can trigger many of the same physiological boosts. That’s because the rhythmic exhalations of laughter activate the diaphragm, stimulate the vagus nerve, and encourage deep, oxygen-rich breathing, all of which help quiet stress and promote emotional resilience. Beyond the physical perks, laughter is a social superpower. Sharing a laugh builds trust, diffuses tension, and helps people feel seen and understood—a powerful antidote to loneliness and isolation.
In aging communities, long-term care settings, and wellness programs, laughter-based activities are now being used to elevate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve overall quality of life. Humor sessions, memory-friendly comedy clips, and guided laughter exercises can create an uplifting sense of belonging, especially for older adults who may be dealing with chronic stress, grief, or health concerns. Simply put: laughter brings us back into the moment. It invites us to breathe, to connect, and to feel more fully alive. So the next time a silly memory, a clever joke, or a contagious giggle comes your way—lean in. Your body and brain will thank you for it.
Which benefit of laughter resonates with you the most? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What Type of Unique Stay Would You Choose for Your Next Getaway?
The results are in—and the clear standout is the dreamy lighthouse or oceanside keeper’s cottage, which captured an impressive 66% of the votes. There’s something irresistible about the idea of waking up to waves and panoramic views. Historic inns also made a strong showing at 54%, proving that old-world charm never goes out of style. Treehouses, tiny homes, and retro campers gathered enthusiastic niche support, each appealing to travelers with a specific sense of adventure. Overall, the poll shows that while people love unique stays in all forms, the call of the coast—and a bit of history—wins the day.
TOP COMMENTS
“Any or all of these sound amazing! I would go for whatever was available.”
“A lighthouse. Love the view at night, plenty of stars and ships to see.”
“I would stay in all of them.”
“If we were able to, we would be willing to try any of these. We've fantasized about buying a camper/ motorhome, selling the house and just travel, all of the cats, the dog and us.”
“We enjoy learning new local history”
“As a child we camped. As an adult, my husband and I went on two three week car trips from Ohio to the West Coast, tent camping most of the way. The second was with our kids. We camped at many National Parks. Loved it. But after the last trip, I told my husband that any "camping" we do in the future must include a real bed and indoor plumbing.”
What Time Reveals — Finding Clarity in Looking Back
With age and distance, the past often comes into sharper focus, offering insights we couldn’t see while living through it. Moments that once felt confusing, overwhelming, or simply “normal” can later reveal the forces that shaped us — from subtle pressures to unspoken expectations. What we once remembered as dazzling or exciting may also contain threads of challenge we didn’t fully recognize at the time. This kind of hindsight isn’t about regret; it’s about reclaiming the full truth of our experiences.
For many women who navigated male-dominated workplaces or demanding environments, the stories once framed around ambition or prestige are easier to see now with both honesty and compassion. The friendships, opportunities, and pride remain real — but so does the recognition of barriers that were minimized or hidden in youth. That clarity can be liberating. It allows us to understand how resilience was forged, how values were shaped, and how difficult moments ultimately guided later choices.
Looking back with open eyes brings meaning to the journey. It lets us honor the person we were, acknowledge what we endured, and appreciate the strength we carry forward. Far from dimming the present, this reflective clarity enriches it, helping us stand more confidently in the life we’ve built.
Follow us on Social Media!
Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on:
Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation!
Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Spark plug
Meaning: A “spark plug” is someone who brings energy, enthusiasm, and momentum to a group—often the person who gets things moving, lifts the mood, or motivates everyone else without even trying. It’s a compliment for someone who naturally brightens the room and keeps things lively.
In a sentence: “During our weekly game night, Eddie was the spark plug who kept us all laughing and playing long after we thought we’d be ready for bed.”
Good News of the Day
Teen Inventors Use Gene Editing to Transform Lyme Disease Detection
A team of talented high school students has impressed scientists worldwide by creating a promising new way to detect — and one day possibly treat — Lyme disease using CRISPR, a cutting-edge gene-editing tool. Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose early, which is when treatment works best, but these teens found a clever method to make the harmful bacteria easier to spot. By programming CRISPR to search for the bacteria’s unique DNA, they were able to expose a hidden protein that could then be picked up by a simple test. Their early results, done in a simulated blood model, hint at faster, more accurate diagnoses in the future. Even more exciting, their approach opens the door to potential treatments that might eventually target the bacteria directly. Though it’s still early days, the accomplishment shows how young innovators are bringing fresh energy and ideas to tough medical problems — and reminds us that the next big breakthrough can come from the most unexpected places.
Other Publications We Like
Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy!
RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which empire was ruled by Genghis Khan? |
What is the brightest star in the night sky? |
Which film features the quote, “Here’s looking at you, kid”? |
A QUICK ASK: First off, thank you for reading RetireHub every day. It fills our cup that so many thousands of people get joy from our little publication.
As you know, good content costs money. In order to continue supporting ourselves and to continue delivering the content you enjoy every day, we need to pay our writers. If you can, we ask you to subscribe to our paid account (for $5/month - less than a cup of coffee!) below.
If you choose to purchase a paid subscription, please know you’re supporting not only our publication, but tens of thousands of other 50+ year old Americans that get joy, entertainment, financial tips, and more from RetireHub every single day.
If you don’t join the paid plan (or can’t), no worries at all. We know times are tough. Thank you for being a part of our tiny, joyful part of the Internet.
- Jay
**RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter.
***RetireHub may share poll results with advertisers.