Work pressure, health concerns top barriers to laughter: Survey

Work pressure, health concerns and lack of social connection emerged as top barriers to laughter in a survey conducted by Ketawa— a city-based centre for behaviour change, led by psychologist and laughter wellness expert Dr Nidhi Jaswal.

Released on World Laughter Day, the online study captured responses from 1,205 individuals across various age groups, offering a unique peek into the nation’s laughter quotient.

From school students to senior citizens aged 80 and above, the survey encompassed a wide demographic. Participants came from urban and semi-urban regions, giving the study a diverse voice.

In response to the open-ended bibliometric question, “What does laughter mean to us?”, the participants described laughter as “joy, “stress relief”, “bonding”, “healing”, “family time” and even “freedom”.

The word cloud generated from these responses was a reflection of how laughter was deeply woven into India’s emotional and social fabric, the NGO’s founder and CEO Dr Nidhi said.

According to the survey findings, 78% participants consider laughter extremely important in life, the average laughter score of the participants was found to be 3.6, 35% laugh more than 10 times a day, while 30% manage 5 to 10 times daily. But alarmingly, 10% laughed rarely, with 5% saying they hardly ever laugh.

Over 50% said their laughter was sparked by friends and family, making loved ones the heart of their happiness. Interestingly, 13% cited laughter as a personal tool to relieve stress and uplift their mood.

“Work pressure, health concerns and lack of social connection emerged as top barriers to laughter,” she revealed, while sharing that 84% believe in laughter’s role in improving physical and mental health while over 60% were interested in attending laughter yoga or wellness programmes.

Dr Nidhi said, “This survey sheds light on a nation that seeks happiness amidst hustle, and views laughter as both a daily ritual and a powerful coping strategy. It isn’t just a data point — it’s a wake-up call for India to prioritise joy, laughter and emotional wellness in daily life. As Ketawa continues its mission, one thing is clear: India is ready to laugh its way to a healthier future.”