From the archives: this article was originally published on February 2, 2022

Laughing isn’t just a sign of feeling good; laughing is actually good for you too.

“We’ve all heard some version of the expression, ‘Laughter is the best medicine,’ and intuitively we know this makes sense,” says Dr. Justin Ross, a clinical psychologist at UCHealth. “Laughing really is one of the best mind-body-social connectors we have. It is a physical expression of connection and shared experience.”

The Science Behind Laughter

The cast of The Other Josh Cohen. Photo by McLeod9 Creative

Laughter, says Dr. Ross, has been demonstrated to help manage anxiety, pain, stress, and sadness. There are a number of studies helping us understand what’s happening physiologically and neurologically when we laugh. This includes hormonal, neurochemical and psychological components.

“Laughing helps stimulate endorphin release, promotes oxygenation throughout the body’s organs, relieves muscular tension, strengthens the immune system and lowers blood pressure,” he says. “The core concepts of well-being really come down to consistently nailing the basics-eat well, sleep well, move your body, get fresh air, foster meaningful connections and laugh, a lot.”

Learn to Laugh

While laughing is a natural action, sometimes we need to find ways to learn to laugh better. The Community College of Denver actually has a whole course on comedy, taught by comedian Chuck Roy, a semi-finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” It’s called Students of Comedy, and members of the college can sign up for it.

DCPA Education Improv Class

At Bovine Metropolis Theater, Denver’s first dedicated improv theater, guests can attend shows and take a class on improv, no experience needed. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) also offers improv classes each season for a wide range of ages starting a kindergarten through adult, focusing on newbies and more experienced comedians.

Where to Laugh

Lucky for us, ways to laugh occur all over. Start by taking in a comedy. Upcoming shows at the DCPA include two Cabaret productions: The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody (July 17-Aug 11) and Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End (Sep 4-22).

Don’t underestimate a good stand-up show either. Denver hosts a handful of local comedy clubs. Start with Comedy Works in downtown Denver, a popular spot that has been stirring up laughs and groans since 1981. Rise Comedy in LoDo features improvised Broadway musicals and teaches classes. Or The Denver Comedy Lounge, which does Saturday night stand up shows and hosts comedians from around the country.

Take It From an Expert

“Laughing makes people feel amazing,” says Colorado-based comedian Greg Studley, who runs the podcast Behind Bars: Cocked Tales and Wasted Nights and the YouTube channel Just Close It. “If I do a show and get a couple to start laughing, that works the abs, gets the blood flowing to those areas…”

Studley has been in the laughter business since he performed his first open mic in 2009 in Los Angeles. Eventually that led to local gigs at The Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv, where the likes of the late Bob Saget, Jeff Ross, Daniel Tosh, Dane Cook and Aziz Ansari stopped in to do some sets. Eventually he relocated to Colorado, where he worked at Belly Up in Aspen.  He jokes, “My favorite thing about being a comedian is I’m able to make amazing cocktails and serve beer with efficiency. And, to be honest, none of my friends or relatives ever expect me to pick up the check.”

Overall, Dr. Ross prescribes laughing as many times a day as you can. “Too often we are plagued by the stresses, anxieties and difficulties in our lives to the point that our concerns take up the majority of our thoughts,” he says. “When we adopt a mindset to ‘hunt the good stuff,’ we actively work to see the positive unfold in front of us. This includes actively seeking humor, joy, moments to laugh and moments to savor.”

With that, laugh long and hard and as often as possible. It’s good for your own self and the people around you.