By La Salle Healthy News reporters | You may have heard the quote “laughter is the best medicine.” Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say laughter can help your physical and mental health.
At the University of North Carolina, researchers have also found that laughter can bring people together and build positive connections. Sharing a sense of humor can help you get to know someone new or can be a way to work through a tough time with a friend.
La Salle Academy’s fourth-grade Healthy News reporters recently interviewed their teacher Mr. Plumer about laughter and spreading happiness to others. This interview has been lightly edited.
Q: How does laughter make you feel?
Mr. Plumer: When I am laughing, I can feel it in my chest. Laughter makes me feel better. I almost feel weightless when I am laughing. Mentally, laughter
makes me feel better if I am stressed out.
Q: What types of things make you laugh?
Mr. Plumer: I like pun jokes, especially if they are well-crafted. Comedies on television usually make me laugh. I also like a good inside joke. There are some friends that I have known since middle school and we still share and enjoy inside jokes.
Q: What brings joy to your day?
Mr. Plumer: Wow! There are so many things. Just coming in and getting the teaching day started brings me joy. Seeing the smiles on my students’ faces and relaxing after a long day of work brings me joy. Playing video games, chatting with my friends, and reading brings me joy.
Q: How is humor used in a positive way?
Mr. Plumer: When you meet new people, jokes and humor are good ways to break the ice. Sharing laughter and jokes is a good way to make friends.
Q: How is humor used in a negative way?
Mr. Plumer: Sometimes, what you or others may think is funny may not be funny to someone else. Sometimes people tell jokes that others don’t find funny or may find offensive. It makes me view some people differently when people tell jokes that hurt or offend others.
Q: How can kids respond if people laugh at them, not with them?
Mr. Plumer: It can be very uncomfortable and difficult when that happens. That may be the time to get an adult involved. This can be your parents, teacher, or guidance counselor. And it is probably best to not get involved when kids are purposely making fun or laughing at someone else.
Q: How can humor connect kids?
Mr. Plumer: Humor helps build friendships. When telling jokes, keep the jokes fun and silly. And when telling jokes and using humor, make sure to include everyone and not single other kids out.
Illustration by Paul, 4th grade, Cole Manor, 2025-26.
