“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
A good laugh is more than just a temporary state of pleasure. It can have tremendous benefits for the physical and mental health of Alabama seniors that linger for several minutes after the laughter subsides.
For 45 minutes after a laugh, physical tension and stress remain relieved. Stress hormones lower while joy-inducing endorphins are released. Able to relax and recharge, we feel a new sense of vitality and resilience.
A good laugh can protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems by increasing blood flow in the same way that exercising does. When blood vessels are able to function better, the heart doesn’t have to work as hard.
Scientists have studied the impact of laughter on relieving pain and lowering blood sugar levels. They’ve found that a few minutes of snickering through episodes of Candid Camera helped subjects enjoy hours of pain-free sleep.
Watching a funny TV show or movie can be a good way to generate laughter, as can sharing a funny story, hosting a game night with friends, playing with a pet, goofing off with children, or making time for fun activities like bowling.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and perhaps anxious in the modern world, but laughter dissolves distressing emotions and increases energy levels. It also allows us to see situations in a whole new light when we don’t take our situation (or ourselves) too seriously. Stressing out about a situation won’t make it go away, so why not try to find the humor in it by gaining a little perspective? Use humor to overcome challenges and find creative solutions to problems.
The staff at Regency Retirement Village of Birmingham cares about the quality of life of our residents. We want them to enjoy a fun-filled lifestyle with the peace of mind that they’re being taken care of.