Laughter And "Fitting In" The Biological Need

Laughter the medicine for loneliness!

How important is laughter for our well being?

Can it help with the gloom that comes with the winter months in Pittsburgh?

In Pittsburgh PA. we are about to head into the winter months. After the holiday season and for some during the holidays the winter can be isolating and loneliness can creep in. Humans are social creatures, and we have a fundamental desire to “belong.” To reflect this need, we naturally form relationships to help us build a better idea of who we are and where we fit into society.

In fact, we’ve even developed tools for creating stronger bonds (or at least the appearance of stronger bonds) as a means of survival. One of which is laughter.

Spontaneous laughter, which emerges naturally in humans in the first few months of life, likely evolved from the labored breathing that comes from play, a behavior that’s present in many young mammals. 

Laughing has no evolutionary benefit other than to communicate to listeners that those laughing are friends. Some scholars suggest that laughter came to fruition as an evolutionary benefit, helping aid the survival of the fittest and friendliest of our ancestors. To underscore this hypothesis, scientists have discovered that even apes and chimpanzees are able to produce a fake laugh as a way to fit in and respond to the spontaneous laugh of others, and be a part of the ‘in-group.

You can read more about laughter in this great article here : The evolutionary origins of laughter are rooted more in survival than enjoyment

Learn more about working with a coach and find easy ways to create and maintain bonds, to laugh more, and to feel connected with yourself and those around you.