Seniors: Laugh a Little (or a Lot!) & Reap the Health Benefits

Laughing feels great. We crave it, and we know that when we are laughing, we are doing good things for our body. It’s been theorized that laughter can cure disease. This was disproven in the 1990’s, but the fact still remains that laughter does have a number of health benefits associated with it. Seniors should take special note because as we age our bodies naturally have a lower immune system and the possibility for a host of other diseases.

Benefits of Laughter

• Boosting immunity. It’s been proven that people who laugh (right after laughing) have lower levels of stress hormones in their blood, and a boost to their immune system. 
• Increased pain tolerance. Scattered research has proven that there is a correlation between laughter and an increase in pain tolerance.
• Reduced stress levels. Laughter causes the secretion of dopamine in the body (along with other similar chemicals) which has a powerful affect on decreasing anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Strengthens muscles. When you laugh you work the muscles of the abdomen and diaphragm. This can greatly benefit people who suffer from bronchitis and asthma.
• Decreased cholesterol and blood pressure. When you laugh you breathe in more oxygen, which, in turn, helps the body’s circulation and oxygenation to the brain and the rest of the body.
  

What is Laughter Yoga?

For seniors who have mobility issues, or who are confined to wheelchairs, Laughter Yoga is serious business. This type of yoga is meant to replace standard yoga and is a type of voluntary laughter that results in the same benefits as regular laughter. Laughter Yoga has been known to enhance mood, as well as provide all of the other benefits listed above.

 Are you a senior living in the Greenwood & Anderson area? Would you like information regarding home care in McCormick or about how you can get free referrals for assisted living facilities in Greenwood? Always Best Care has been a leading senior care giving company in the United States and Canada for the past 20 years. Seniors are encouraged to call the Always Best Care Greenwood & Anderson location at 864-229-1211 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to hearing from you!