Tickling the Funny Bone: How Humor Helps Foster a Healthy Marriage

Let’s face it—married life can be a wild ride. Between never-ending to-do lists, navigating seasons of grief, and the everyday chaos of family life, it’s easy to lose sight of the fun. But what if we told you that learning to laugh together might just be one of the most powerful tools you have to build connection, reduce stress, and keep your love vibrant?

In this episode, we explore why humor isn’t just a “nice-to-have” in marriage—it’s essential. We’ll unpack the four types of humor, dive into what science and Scripture say about laughter, and share stories (like Lisa’s “this is what I do” southern cooking moment and James’ infamous floating shelf fail) that show how humor can bond us… or blow up in our face. We also talk about what not to joke about, how timing and tone matter, and how to bring more intentional joy into your relationship—without crossing emotional lines.

Whether your marriage feels light and playful or a little dried up like that overcooked kielbasa (you’ll get it when you listen), this episode will inspire you to embrace laughter as a pathway to intimacy.

Key Takeaways

• Laughter builds connection and reduces stress—it literally rewires your brain with bonding hormones like oxytocin.
• Know your humor style—and your spouse’s. Healthy humor (like affiliative and self-enhancing) draws you closer; aggressive or self-defeating humor can harm connection.
• Create “callbacks” or inside jokes. They build emotional intimacy and give you a shared language of joy.
• Tone and timing are everything. A well-placed joke can heal, but the wrong moment can wound.
• Honor your spouse’s sensitivities. Don’t joke to make a point. Be sensitive and lighthearted—it's not either/or.
• Don't just hope for fun—plan it. Schedule laughter through games, funny shows, silly traditions, or storytelling.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Marriage Reboot – Our two-day coaching intensive plus 3 months of intentional follow-up to help couples move from surviving to thriving. Learn more at artofspousing.com/coaching
• Schedule a a Marriage Reboot Discovery Call
• Tools Referenced:
  • Know Yourself to Lead Yourself – understanding your humor style and voice weapon systems
  • 5 Voices – using humor in ways that align with your personality
  • Checkpoints – use humor to shift tension, but with permission

🎧 Related Episodes

• The 5 Voices: Unlocking Better Communication in Marriage
• Navigating Three Types of Tension in Marriage
• Me Awareness and We Awareness

📲 Connect with Us

• Instagram: @artofspousing
• Website: www.artofspousing.com
• Join the Marriage Practice Email: Text AOS to 66866 for weekly encouragement and tools

💬 Subscribe & Review

If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with another couple who needs a little more laughter in their lives. Your support helps us reach more couples who are ready to build a strong, Christ-centered, joy-filled marriage.

And remember—if you're in a tough season, and laughter feels far off, there is hope. Don’t just survive—start practicing the art of spousing today. 💛🎙️