Why Laughter is the Best Medicine for Aged People

We do know laughter is a great medicine. Just as exercise, laughter increases brain levels of serotonin and endorphins that can calm and relax the mind. This is especially important to those aged people who suffer throughout the year. Modern medical science has approved that our thoughts, moods and emotions and belief systems have a fundamental impact on the body’s health and healing mechanisms.

The chemical messages between brain & body cells, alternatively known as peptides, are among the key factors to maintaining a strong health connection between the body and the mind and can influence whether you get sick or remain well.

Peptides are found throughout the body and depending upon your mood, it generates positive or negative signals to the cells. This is where ‘laughter’ plays a pivotal role. Living in humour and laughter help assure that these peptides are working positively to which your body and brain respond.

The medical community are now even acknowledging the pain reducing power (though transient) of humour & laughter. Some elderly persons have reported that watching a funny movie has reduced their joint pains (like arthritis) for an hour or so. Moreover, many aged patients have reported that finding humour in their day-to-day life has reduced the intensity of pain.

That’s why most NDIS registered aged care providers would suggest to remembering:

• Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’
• Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’
• Unleashes inhibitions, breaks down barriers
• Great team building tool encourages better communication
• Helps boost our immune system which helps us resist disease
• Tones muscles, improves respiration and circulation
• Encourages positive thinking and creativity
• Relaxes the whole body by reducing stress and tension

Laughter is free and is available to everyone as part of an ongoing health strategy. It is the best alternative to the elderly persons who are unable to do daily exercise. Besides, laughter in a group also strengthens the bonds of friendship which is quite essential especially for the aged people.