When is the last time you had a good laugh? It’s fun to share a hearty guffaw, but did you know it can actually improve your health? This priceless medicine is fun, free and easy to use. Learn how to harness the many benefits of laughter and humor.
Laughter is Good for Your Health
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good belly laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. A giggle and a tee-hee here and there decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. When you chuckle, it improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Laughter is a natural part of life that is innate and inborn. Infants begin smiling during the first weeks of life and laugh out loud within months of being born. Even if you did not grow up in a household where laughter was a common, you can learn to laugh at any stage of life.
Bring More Laughter Into Your Life
Smile routinely. Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and like laughter, it’s contagious. When you look at someone or see something even mildly pleasing, practice smiling.
When you hear laughter, move toward it. Most of the time, people are very happy to share something funny because it gives them an opportunity to laugh again and feed off the humor you find in it. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s funny?”
Spend time with fun, playful people. These are people who laugh easily–both at themselves and at life’s absurdities–and who routinely find the humor in everyday events. Their playful point of view and laughter are contagious.
Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your life?”
Tips to Develop Your Sense of Humor
Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk about times when you took yourself too seriously.
Remember funny things that happen. If something amusing happens or you hear a joke or funny story you really like, write it down or tell it to someone to help you remember it.
Don’t go a day without laughing. Think of it like exercise or breakfast and make a conscious effort to find something each day that makes you laugh. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes and do something that amuses you. The more you get used to laughing each day, the less effort you’ll have to make.
Some Jokes to get you laughing:
Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut?
He just needed a little space.
What did the football coach say to the broken vending machine?
Give me my quarterback.
Why don’t they play poker in the jungle?
Too many cheetahs.
What do lawyers wear to court?
Lawsuits.
At Parkview Senior Living, we strive hard every day to offer services that address the mind, body and spirit of our 55 plus community – because home is meant to be a place where you can share a good laugh with friends, family and neighbors. Parkview is a place of comfort and enjoyment. We provide the utmost care in supporting an active, vibrant lifestyle. Parkview Senior Living offers you or your loved ones a beautiful blend of privacy, safety, security and community. Come and enjoy life with us!
Recent Comments