Did you know that the 1st July was National Joke Day? 😊 It may sound light-hearted, but this fun little date holds an important reminder for all of us: laughter matters — more than we realise.
Laughter isn’t just about cracking jokes or giggling at funny videos — it’s a powerful tool for supporting our overall wellbeing. It lifts mood, reduces stress, builds relationships, and even has physical benefits for the body and brain.
And if you’re going through menopause or perimenopause, laughter can become a real lifeline. This is one of the reasons why I have “Laugh More” as one of my Menopause Life Savers as it has been shown to significantly benefit women experiencing menopause by reducing stress, anxiety, improving sleep quality and help manage vasomotor symptoms (like hot flushes). More on this later, but my key message to you all is – find some time in your day to laugh like no-one is watching you, like you used to do as a child before you got worried about what people thought!
Why Laughter Is Good for Us — Especially in Menopause
Let’s face it — menopause can feel like a rollercoaster. From sleepless nights and brain fog to mood swings and hot flushes, it’s a time when life can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. But here’s the good news: laughter helps.
- It boosts mood and reduces stress hormones.
- It calms the nervous system and lowers blood pressure.
- It helps regulate emotions and balance mood swings.
- It releases endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals).
- It can even ease physical pain and fatigue.
Best of all? Laughter connects us to others. Those who laugh together — friends, partners, colleagues — often stay closer, more supportive, and more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
Laughter Strengthens Relationships — At Home and At Work
When you’re dealing with the ups and downs of menopause, laughter can strengthen your relationships by breaking tension, easing misunderstandings, and keeping things in perspective.
👫 At home, a shared joke with a partner or family member can help prevent small irritations from becoming big conflicts. It reminds everyone that joy is still present, even when things feel tough.
💼 At work, laughter and fun build team spirit. Teams that share a laugh tend to:
- Communicate more openly.
- Minimise conflict.
- Perform better under pressure.
- Solve problems more creatively.
- Drive innovation.
Laughter breaks down barriers and makes the workplace feel safer, more human, and more enjoyable. A little humour can turn an ordinary team into an extraordinary one.
But Remember — Laugh With, Never At
While laughter is wonderful for connection, it’s so important to remember that humour should never be at someone else’s expense.
Menopause can already lower confidence and self-esteem — something many women, me included, have felt. Jokes about menopause, age, forgetfulness, or appearance can unintentionally make a woman feel marginalised, undervalued, or invisible.
Even in fun, words can wound. A careless comment can undo trust and make someone feel “less than” — not part of the team, not seen, not respected. This is the opposite of what laughter is meant to do. Remember the case of Avanti West Coast? Their women’s group tried to use humour as way to normalise menopause experience, but it backfired in ways they’d never imagined. For some women, a joke about menopause makes light of their experience and can seriously alienate them – as an employer you might find your turnover in this important demographic starts to increase through unintentional humour!
So, enjoy humour that uplifts, connects, and makes everyone feel included — because the right kind of laughter builds relationships, while the wrong kind can quietly break them.
What Makes You Laugh Doesn’t Matter — Just That You Laugh!
The joy of laughter is that it’s completely personal.
It might be a silly Christmas Cracker joke, a cheesy pun, a favourite sitcom, or a stand-up comedian that cracks you up. It doesn’t matter — what matters is that moment when you can’t stop laughing… when tears run down your face and your belly aches… when you try to explain the joke to someone else but can’t because you’re laughing too much to speak.
I had this exact moment recently. I was listening to a comedian on the radio telling a ridiculous story from his childhood — and I was laughing so hard I was crying. Every time I think of that story, I laugh again… and if I try to tell someone else, I can’t get the words out because the giggles start all over again.
That is the pure joy of laughter. And it’s so good for the soul.
Let’s Celebrate National Joke Day all Month by Laughing More — Together
Let’s give ourselves permission to find the funny — whatever that looks like for you. Watch that daft sitcom. Share a pun with a friend. Giggle at the worst dad joke you can find. Bring some humour into your work meetings. Laugh with your family — even if it’s over something silly.
Your mind, body, mood, and relationships will all thank you for it.
And as we enjoy the gift of laughter, let’s make sure we do it kindly. Laughing with someone brings connection. Laughing at someone brings harm. Choose words that build — not break.
Final Thought
In menopause, life can feel heavy — but laughter is a beautiful way to lighten the load. At home, at work, and within ourselves, let’s keep humour alive — in ways that make everyone feel good.
💬 What’s the last thing that made you laugh until you cried? Share it — and spread the joy!
For More Help
If you’d like to learn more about my Menopause Life Savers you can do so on my YouTube Channel by watching my short video Menopause Life Savers for a Magnificent Midlife and Beyond – remember laughter is a whole life gift for our wellbeing.
If you’d like to learn about how 1-2-1 coaching might be able to support your menopause wellbeing check out our website HERE or book a connection call HERE with me to talk more.