The other day, I found myself belly laughing with a friend over something so small and ridiculous I couldn’t even remember what started it. You know that kind of laugh, the one that steals your breath, makes your cheeks ache, and leaves your eyes watery. Later, I realized something: my shoulders felt lighter, my jaw wasn’t tight, and my whole body felt… softer.
Science tells us laughter lowers cortisol, the very stress hormone that, in high doses, can speed up fine lines, slow skin repair, and make our glow feel a little dimmer. But I think the magic goes deeper than any study can measure. Laughter is the human soul remembering it’s safe. It’s proof that joy can still reach us, even in seasons that feel heavy.
And here’s the thing, our bodies remember joy.
They hold onto it the way your favorite sweater holds onto your scent. That’s why I’ve started thinking of laughter as skincare from the inside out. Not because it replaces my serums and balms, but because it works in harmony with them.
So maybe beauty isn’t just in the jar or the mirror. Maybe it’s in the shared joke, the snort-laugh you didn’t see coming, the moment your heart says, “Yes, more of this, please.”
And maybe, just maybe, the glow we’re chasing starts right there.
When was the last time you had a deep belly laugh? You know, the kind where you can’t stop laughing and even minutes or hours later, the thought of it makes you chuckle again. It’s spending time with that friend that you should never sit next to at church or in a serious meeting because you know it's just asking for trouble.
Can you picture that friend in your mind?
Think of laughter as your body’s built-in reset button. A good belly laugh doesn’t just lift your mood, it actively lowers cortisol, boosts endorphins, and increases circulation, giving your skin that post-chuckle glow.
Researchers in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor lived an average of 8 years longer than those who didn’t laugh as often. Plus, laughter’s micro-muscle workout strengthens facial muscles and may even soften the appearance of fine lines over time (yes, laugh lines can be flattering!).
So whether it’s a funny movie, a goofy friend, or even laughing at yourself, treat laughter as your daily, zero-cost, all-natural beauty ritual.
This mood-boosting berry chia pudding isn’t just a feast for your taste buds, it’s a love letter to your brain and skin. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds, it helps tame inflammation and support a steady mood.
Mood-Boosting Berry Chia Pudding
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh almond milk (or coconut milk)
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1–2 tsp maple syrup or raw honey
½ cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions:
- In a jar, mix almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla, and sweetener. Shake or stir well.
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Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
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Top with berries and cinnamon before serving.
Laughter has a real, measurable effect on lowering stress hormones like cortisol, boosting immune function, and even relaxing facial muscles (yes, that means fewer worry lines). A laughter memory book is like a joy journal with a twist. Instead of recording all moments, it’s dedicated purely to the ridiculous, hilarious, unexpected, and delightful things that make life sparkle.
Laughter Memory Book
You’ll need:
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A blank journal, scrapbook, or handmade book (bonus points for one with thick, unlined pages)
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Colored pens or markers
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Washi tape or glue stick
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Printed or hand-drawn doodles, photos, or ticket stubs from joyful days
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Optional: Small envelopes or pockets for “hidden” memories or notes from others
How to make it:
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Choose your “laughter lens.” This is a book for the funny, the sweetly absurd, and the chuckle-worthy.
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Start with a prompt list (examples):
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Funniest thing a child has ever said to you
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A travel mishap that turned into a great story
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The time you laughed so hard you cried
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A “you had to be there” moment
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Your favorite joke or pun
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Document your stories. Write them out in as much detail as you remember: the sights, the smells, the exact words that made you snort-laugh.
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Add visuals. Use photos, drawings, or doodles that bring the moment to life.
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Invite contributions. Ask friends or family to write their own funny memories of you (or with you) on slips of paper and tape them into the book.
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Keep it handy. On low-energy days, flip through it like medicine for the soul.
We often think of stress as something that lives in our minds, but the truth is, it leaves its mark all over our bodies.
Chronic stress pushes cortisol into overdrive, and while that’s meant to help in short bursts, it becomes destructive when it lingers. Inside, it can disrupt hormones, slow down digestion, and weaken immunity.
When we think in terms of faith and walking with God, it’s no wonder Scripture is filled with reminders to take heart, keep your heart pure, guard your thoughts, fix your mind on things above, and think on what is lovely, kind, and true. These aren’t just spiritual reinforcements - they are prescriptions written by the Creator Himself.
To take heart is to strengthen the very rhythm of life within you.
To keep your heart pure is to guard the wellspring from which all vitality flows.
To take thoughts captive is to quiet the storms that wear down the body and weary the soul.
To think on what is lovely is to breathe in hope and let peace circulate like fresh air in every cell.
Faith is more than belief - it is the medicine that restores, fortifies, and keeps every part of us whole.
Outside, it can be even more telling. Your skin becomes a billboard for what’s going on beneath the surface. Elevated cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin, accelerating fine lines, deepening wrinkles, and dulling your natural radiance.
That’s why we can sometimes “look tired” even when we’ve had enough sleep.
Our skin reflects our inner storm.
But here’s the alchemy: just as stress leaves a mark, so does laughter.
Studies show that moments of genuine happiness lower cortisol levels, improve blood flow, and even boost your skin’s ability to repair itself. It is more than an emotion, it’s a biological beauty treatment.
The more we nourish it, the more our skin remembers how to shine from the inside out.
