A Horse Walks into a Bar
A horse walks into a bar and the bartender says “Hey . . . why the long face?”
Have you ever heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine”? It is no secret that laughter makes you feel good. It helps us connect with people and feel relaxed, but laughter also affects your physical, emotional and mental health.
1. Boosts your immune system: The act of laughing increases the production of immune cells and antibodies in your blood so you will have a stronger defense against germs and infections.
2. Decreases stress: Stress speeds up the aging process (Inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, etc.). A single session of laughter can reduce your cortisol (stress hormone) level by 37%.
3. Improves heart health: Every time you laugh, your heart rate and respiratory (breathing) rate increase. As a result, your heart beats stronger and faster, sending more oxygenated blood throughout the body.
4. Relieves pain: For decades, experts have recognized that laughter helps with pain relief. Laughter may not necessarily reduce pain itself, but experts think it may simply be increasing your pain tolerance and perception. Laughter also stimulates the release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals in the brain)
5. Supports mental health: Studies show that laughter has a significantly positive effect on mental health, helping to reduce anxiety, depression and stress. One of the ways laughter does this is by causing a release of dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins (chemicals associated with pleasure, motivation and learning).
Last and not least, laughter may also increase the benefits of socialization, which is critical as you age. Laughter is more effective when it happens in a group setting. Laughing with others fosters a sense of belonging and connection. It is also one of the reasons we at Siena on Brendenwood, a senior living community for folks aged 62 and older, offer so many social opportunities, including “Laughter Yoga”. While many of the health benefits of laughter are especially helpful later in life, we tend to laugh less as we age. In fact, children laugh approximately 400 times a day, while adults only manage to chuckle about 15 times.
Get more laughter into your life:
Try Laughter Yoga: Join one of our monthly fitness classes, including Laughter Yoga, by calling 815-399-6167 for details in joining our active lifestyles.
Lighten up: Laughter is a habit. When you get in the habit of looking for humor in everyday situations, you’ll start to laugh more easily and often.
Schedule laughter breaks: Several times a day, take a moment to search for something funny. Look online for a funny video, watch a sitcom, or call your funniest friend or relative.
Watch less news: Staying in tune with current events is important, but obsessing too much on the details is not healthy and can add unnecessary stress in your life.
Stop in at Siena and share a quick joke with us. You may be surprised how good it will make not only the recipients feel, but you as well!
A teacher once told me that I'd “never amount to much” since I procrastinate a lot.
I told them, "Just you wait!"
