Laughter is something that is accessible to most people. However, most people will underestimate the benefits that laughter can bring to them. Laughing often is able to help everyone, especially older adults enjoy life more. Here are some little known benefits of laughter.
Improves The Immune System
Laughter can help to bring about substantial physical benefits. The first way is it boosts your immunity to diseases. Just through the joy of laughing, you are able to prompt the production of neuropeptides which combats stress as well as reduces chronic stress. These two combined can help to lower stress levels and improve your immune system.
A Natural Painkiller
The next physical benefit is that laughing can help with the release of endorphins that are also known as a “feel-good” hormone. On top of boosting your mood, endorphins are able to act as a natural painkiller. Studies have shown that it is able to help people increase their resistance to pain sensations.
Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Good heart health is something that is crucial for older adults. In order to keep your heart healthy, you should lower your blood pressure. Early studies have shown that by laughing often, older adults are able to lower their heart pressure at around six mmHg in the period immediately after laughing.
Lowers Your Stress Levels
Laughter can seem like just a moment of joy but actually, it stimulates a number of different hormones being produced in the body. For example, hormones like epinephrine, DOPAC, cortisol, and many other stress-related hormones have been shown to decrease over time due to laughter or even just the anticipation of laughing.
Burns Calories
Laughing for around 15 minutes in a single day is able to burn up to 40 calories. This means that you are able to burn around four pounds every year just by laughing. This may not be as significant as cardio or strength training, but it takes much less energy and effort.
Helps to Combat Isolation and Depression
Many older adults suffer from loneliness or social isolation as a result of living alone. Depression can come from a loss of purpose following retirement. Not only is isolation and depression bad for their mental wellbeing, but it can also have worrying effects on their physical wellness as well. In fact, it is believed that laughter is a type of evolutionary trait that evolved due to the need to form communal bonds and allow people to bond and share positive emotions over common experiences.
Embark on Your New Journey with The Summit
At The Summit by Discovery Senior Living, our team firmly believes that all aspects of wellness are important, and it is not enough to just address health conditions or physical wellbeing. In fact, our exclusive senior living programs are designed to provide each resident access to activities and events that can help them to improve their social, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
For more information on our senior living community, our housing options, or the living programs that we offer our residents, contact us today.
