It’s an adage as old as time: “Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s no secret how fun it is (and how good it feels!) to enjoy a good belly laugh, but did you know there are some incredible health benefits that are directly linked to laughter? As we age, laughter becomes an essential part of our overall well-being. It’s scientifically proven to improve your body’s function and lead to a happier, healthier life! Learn about some incredible laughter health benefits, plus several easy ways to incorporate more laughter into each day!

Improve Your Relationships

Laughter is a universal language, and serves as a common ground for any type of relationship. From your mailperson to your neighbor, making room for laughter increases your bond with another person. This type of socialization is essential, especially as we age! Next time you’re having a conversation, try to incorporate some laughter and enjoy that shared universal language – you will be glad you did!

Release Endorphins

Endorphins are a chemical found in your brain that are released when you do something that makes you feel good. They’re a common result of activities like exercise, meditation and – you guessed it – laughing! It’s an instant endorphin boost that can lower stress levels, lessen physical pain and even help to ward off depression.

Fight Off Stress and Depression

Depression can be common as we age, and can be hard to avoid with any life change. But the endorphins released through laughter can actually chemically change your brain and lead to a decrease in the symptoms of depression. The same goes for stress, which is also positively impacted by regular laughter.

It’s just science – the more you laugh, the better you feel!

Improve Your Memory

By reversing the negative effects of stress with laughter, you can also actually boost your short term cognitive function! The stress hormone cortisol will pick away at your short term memory, so with the positive endorphins caused by laughing counteracting the cortisol, it gives your brain a change to undo that damage.

Boost Your Immune System

Did you know that laughing actually increases blood flow? This amazing benefit means lower blood pressure and less of a risk of heart-related health issues. In addition to less stress and a better mood, this combination can strengthen your overall immune system. Regular laughter can even help your body fend off viruses and bad bacteria!

How to Encourage Laughter in Your Life

Now that you’ve learned all the wonderful health benefits that come with regular laughter, it’s time to start incorporating more of it in your own life! There is truly nothing like a hearty chuckle to make your day. Here are some ways to encourage laughter:

• Spend time with loved ones
• Play with a pet
• Watch or listen to something funny
• Read a satirical novel or online article
• Try laughter exercises (fake it ‘til you make it, they say!) 

OceanView at Falmouth

OceanView at Falmouth is an active retirement community located in beautiful Falmouth, Maine. We offer a variety of cottages and apartments that are equipped with 24/7 maintenance and a 100% refundable entrance fee, allowing you to leave the stress of homeownership behind and simply enjoy your hard-earned retirement years!

To learn more about our active senior living community at OceanView, please contact us today!