Laughter comes from a natural urge everyone gets when they hear a joke. Even though it may seem like fun only for the moment, there are several long-term benefits one can enjoy from laughing. Many people hesitate to share jokes with aging adults as a sign of respect or reverence, but that shouldn’t be. Aging adults tend to benefit more when they laugh so be sure to make your elderly loved ones laugh today. Here’s why.
Laughter Reduces Stress
Everyone goes through stress at one point or the other, which is natural. However, long-term stress can result in physical and mental health problems, especially for aging adults. One of the quickest and most fun ways to relieve stress is laughter. When you laugh, endorphins are released to the brain. Endorphins are happy chemicals that are released to the brain and can effectively reduce stress levels and physical pains quickly. While the release of this chemical to the brain can be achieved through physical activities such as yoga, laughter is another effective way to boost the release of endorphins to the brain.
Boosts Connection and Bonding with Others
Many aging adults often experience isolation and loneliness after retirement, which is why moving into a retirement community is a good option for retirees to have the opportunity to communicate more. Laughter is a good way to bond with other people and can be precious to adults who are already experiencing isolation and loneliness. Laughing at the same jokes as others can also help them feel a sense of being part of a community.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Too much stress can cause a drastic rise in blood pressure levels and that can be very dangerous, especially for aging adults. Since laughter boosts the release of endorphins to the brain—which can help to reduce stress levels quickly—there will also be a reduction in blood pressure.
Helps Fight Depression
As aging retirees transition to several seasons of their lives, they are likely to develop feelings of loneliness and depression which can lead to mental and physical problems. The release of endorphins to the brain that happens when you laugh can help to reduce the feelings of depression. Laughter therapy is often recommended for anyone struggling with depression or any other mental or emotional concern.
Increases Blood Circulation
Laughter can help to improve blood flow by increasing the function of your blood vessels. The increase in blood flow can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular problems. As laughter helps to improve blood flow, it will also increase the circulation of blood through the body. This can lead to better sleep at night and reduced feeling of pain in the body.
Improves the Memory and Cognitive Health
Many aging adults start to become forgetful as their cognitive health starts to decline. Memory care is a growing care option for adults who have been diagnosed with dementia and other cognitive problems. Stress is a leading cause of cognitive problems, as it affects the brain greatly. When the body is stressed, it produces cortisol, which can reduce memory function. Laughter can help to reduce the release of cortisol to the brain and helps the brain repairs itself faster. Therefore, laughter is an excellent way for aging adults to improve their memory and cognitive health.
