Why Physicians Need to Laugh More (and Why It Matters for Your Health)
Nov 28, 2025
When was the last time you laughed so hard you nearly cried?
If you had to think about it for more than three seconds, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.
Physicians are some of the least playful people on the planet…not because we don’t WANT joy, but because our systems train it out of us.
We’re responsible, efficient, serious, and endlessly burdened with the physical and emotional labor of caring for everyone else.
But here’s the part we forget:
**Laughter and play aren’t “extra.”
They are necessary.
They are physiologic.
And they profoundly change how we experience our lives.**
Research on laughter yoga, therapeutic humor, and play shows:
- Lower cortisol and sympathetic activation
- Improved cardiac function and oxygenation
- Increased subjective well-being and mood
- Benefits in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer recovery, COPD, and chronic pain
- Better stress resilience and emotional recovery
- Positive effects on immune function
- AND—you’ll love this—the people who laugh the least get the biggest gains by starting now
That last part?
That’s us.
The physician crowd.
The chronically serious.
The overextended.
The emotionally exhausted.
The ones whose telomeres deserve a vacation.
So here’s your invitation:
Make space for laughter and play this week. On purpose.
Laugh out loud—fake it if you need to.
Watch a silly video.
Play with your kids.
Play with your dog.
Try a 5-minute Laughter Yoga session.
Read something absurd.
Dance like no one is watching.
(And if someone is watching, let them join.)
Joy is not trivial.
It is medicine.
If you want weekly tools, coaching, and practices designed specifically for women physicians, join my email list below. Or schedule a 1:1 call if you’re ready to take this work deeper and build a life that feels like YOURS again:
π Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/healthierforgood/coaching-discovery-call
π Join the VIP Recharge Challenge for Women Physicians: https://www.healthierforgood.com/the-10-week-recharge-challenge-for-women-physicians
Let’s build a life that includes rest, pleasure, laughter, boundaries, breath, and joy—even in a broken system.
One small shift at a time.
Hi There!
I'm Megan. I'm a Physician and a Life Coach and a Mom. I created this blog to help other Physicians and Physician-Moms learn more about why they feel exhausted, burned-out and overwhelmed, and how to start to make changes. I hope that you enjoy what you read, and that it helps you along your journey. And hey, if you want to talk about coaching with me, I'm here for that too! I offer a free 1:1 call to see if we are a good fit. Click the button below to register today.
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