Aim for a daily dose of this mood-and-health booster
When you're feeling sad or stressed, you probably already know that a big, hearty belly laugh can make you feel a whole lot better. But laughter actually helping your health? That's got to be a joke.
Turns out, there might be some scientific truth to the saying "laughter is the best medicine" after all. Studies have shown that chuckling is a natural multipurpose medicine: It increases endorphins (those hormones that make you feel happy), lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps you manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Added bonus: Laughter can boost your workout. When scientists encouraged older adults to laugh during physical activity, they found it more enjoyable, had better endurance during exercise, and later showed improvements in their mental health. They also said that they would be more likely to continue working out later on.
Looking for a few good laughs, but not sure where to start? Here are a few funny ideas:
- Visit with your children, grandchildren, or friends' grandchildren. We're betting they're some of the funniest people you know.
- Watch a comedy movie at your home or a community center with friends.
- Start your day by scrolling through funny jokes online.
- On Facebook? Follow pages that post funny pictures and videos. You can't go wrong with The Pet Collective, which posts daily silly pet videos.
- Seek out a senior-focused comedy night at your local community center. Or, go see live stand-up comedy with some friends.
- No comedy events coming up? Search for comedians you enjoy online on YouTube or Netflix.
- Check out some humorous books at the library; there are a lot of funny writers out there.
- Try laughter yoga (yes, it's a thing), which is gaining popularity at many local senior centers and gyms. It's pretty simple: Combine deep breathing and stretching with a few good belly laughs. Don't have classes near you? Start up your own yoga-giggle session with friends at a local community center, the park, or your own home.
