You ever notice how someone’s good mood just seems to lift the room? Or how, when a loved one is stressed, you somehow feel it too — even from a distance? As a mom (and Nana), I've felt it more times than I can count.
Well, there’s science to back that up. And it’s absolutely fascinating.
In Israel, researchers did an experiment that still amazes me every time I think about it. They took a drop of blood from a participant and placed it under a microscope, projecting it onto a screen. The bacteria in the blood were moving around, doing their thing… while the immune cells — the macrophages, which are supposed to attack invaders — were basically taking a nap.
Then the researchers showed the participant a funny movie. As the person laughed and their mood lifted, those macrophages suddenly “woke up.” One rolled right over and started devouring bacteria like it was at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Here’s the kicker: the blood sample was in another room.
That means the participant’s shift in mood — their laughter, joy, and lightness — somehow affected their blood at a distance.
When the scientists switched to a horror film, everything flipped. The bacteria multiplied, got aggressive, and even started attacking the macrophages. The immune system literally weakened under fear and stress.
If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, it should. Because it means our thoughts and emotions are not just private experiences — they’re physical events that echo through our bodies.
The Ripple Effect of Our Emotions
This goes even deeper. Some researchers call it “family immunity.” Because, as it turns out, our emotional state might even influence the health of those who share our bloodline.
I once read about a watchmaker whose left index finger — the one he used for his delicate work — would start twitching out of nowhere. When it happened, he didn’t take medicine or do stretches. He called his mother, who lived thousands of miles away, and said, “Mom, you’re worrying again! Stop it — I can’t work like this!”
That might sound funny, but it speaks to something profound: we are connected in ways that modern science is only beginning to explain.
Why It Matters for Us
When I first read this, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it fits with so much of what I already believe about wellness and faith.
Our mindset, our peace, our joy — they aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re part of our body’s natural design for healing and harmony. The more I learn, the more I see how God wired us for connection.
So maybe when Scripture says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), it’s not just poetic — it’s physiological.
If laughter can wake up our immune cells, what could gratitude do? Or prayer? Or forgiveness?
Maybe that’s why when we choose joy — even in hard seasons — we feel lighter and stronger. Because something inside us (and maybe inside the people we love) actually shifts toward healing.
A Thought for This Season
And now here we are, heading into what I like to call “the immune system gauntlet.”
First comes the horror movie holiday — spooky stress, sugar, and a good dose of fear-based adrenaline. Then the carb overload holiday (hello, stuffing and pie), followed by the shorter, darker days of winter — and a string of “should and sugar” overload holidays where we run ourselves ragged - stressed out trying to make everything merry and bright while on a cookie-induced sugar high.
It’s no wonder our immune systems — and our moods — take a hit this time of year. Our minds and bodies can’t always tell the difference between real danger and just plain overdoing it.
So maybe it’s worth being intentional this season — adding joy and rest to the calendar right along with the gatherings and to-do lists. Let’s balance all that bustle with laughter, gratitude, and moments of quiet peace.
Because joy isn’t just good for the soul — it’s part of how we stay well, inside and out.
A Thought to Take With You
I’ve started thinking of my mood as part of my wellness routine — right up there with clean eating and getting enough rest. And if my joy can ripple out to someone else’s well-being? That makes it even more worth cultivating.
So maybe the next time you catch yourself feeling down or anxious, find something that makes you laugh — even a little. Watch that silly clip. Call the friend who always lifts your spirits. Or, as Norman Cousins famously did when he healed himself through laughter, make joy your medicine cabinet.
Because this much seems clear: joy doesn’t just make life feel better. It makes us better.
P.S. The next time someone tells you to “lighten up,” maybe take it as medical advice. Turns out, a good laugh might be the most contagious — and healing — thing of all.
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
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This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
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✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
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