You may have heard many say that laughter is the best medicine. Well, there’s actually some truth to this famous aphorism. Studies and research have proven the health benefits of maintaining a sense of humor in aging adults. Not only that, but laughter can also benefit not just them, but you and their caregivers, as well.
It doesn’t matter what the source of your laughter is. It could be stories shared among peers, a comical TV show, or even a funny YouTube vlog. Your sense of humor can result in beneficial short-term effects and improve their long-term health perspective. Just what exactly can laughter do? Why is it a powerful way to be healthy? Below, you will find the various health benefits of having a sense of humor.
Stress Relief
As you may already know, the elderly could be prone to stress, and one way to relieve stress is laughing and being happy. In addition, laughter induces good physical changes in the body.
Endorphin Production
When you laugh genuinely, endorphin is produced and released. This is a chemical found in the brain that makes people feel happy and at ease.
Blood Pressure
Some laughter a day is proven to keep a normal heart rate and blood pressure. Because of this, you can be more relaxed and not worry about experiencing sudden heart issues or ailments.
Breathing
Laughing means you inhale air. Therefore, it fosters the intake of oxygen, which results in positive stimulation of the lungs and heart.
Pain Management
When stressed, you may experience physical pain. It could be headaches or stomach pains. This is because the body’s muscles tend to tense up in stressful situations. If there’s a sense of humor in your life, your muscles become more relaxed, thus reducing the possibility of body pain. This is mostly attributed to endorphin, which is also known as a natural painkiller.
Healthier Immune System
A sound mind can be equated to a sound body. This is why if you experience happiness and are in a better state of mind, the immune system is boosted, enabling you to fight off diseases and illnesses.
Improved Blood Circulation
Some research notes that watching comedy allows for better blood circulation throughout the body as compared to watching tearjerkers. At the same time, a study also shows that laughter aids in decreasing sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Whether you share a dinner with those living in the respite care community, or you are with loved ones at home, nothing beats watching family shows together.
Quality of Life
In some studies, laughter is shown to affect sleeping patterns. It fosters better sleeping habits, which is vital, most especially to mature adults. Good sleep also equals good health. Furthermore, having a sense of humor improves social interaction, which is also shown to be important for you. Because of this, the risk of having anxiety and depression is reduced.
With all these taken into consideration, always make time for joy and laughter in your life so that you can refocus on the things that matter the most. Go for a walk along area attractions and share funny stories with your loved one or caregiver, then enjoy the rest of the day together.
