Laughter is not just nice; it’s necessary for health
When
was the last time you laughed really hard? What were you laughing about? Who were you with? And how did you feel after?
Researchers have long studied the impact of laughter and humor on health, pain, quality of life and even learning. More recently, studies have taken place in retirement communities, including nursing homes and other care facilities, and even looked at types of humor that lead older adults to laughter. The overwhelming consensus of this research is that across the lifespan, laughter is good for the body and the mind.
Individual studies have found correlations or associations with laughter and a heightened ability to learn and recall, lower prevalence of heart disease, enhanced quality of life, positive life satisfaction, connectedness with others, self-rated happiness and lower perceived pain. While it is not a cure all, right now is an especially important time for all of Maui’s residents, kupuna to keiki to incorporate strategies that induce laughter.
Laughter and the body
Chronic stress can lead to elevated levels of cortisol. Over time this can negatively impact physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Laughter has been shown to not only reduce feelings of stress and anxiety but to also lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
It also can trigger a release of endorphins, which are often called “feel-good chemicals” and were shown by researchers at the University of Oxford to also increase pain thresholds.
How much is enough?
There is no consensus about how much laughter is required to see positive outcomes. However, what many found is that dose was important.
Some identified positive benefits after just 15 minutes of laughter. Others studied groups that participated in laughter therapy together over a period of weeks. And still others found that when laughter happens in group settings study participants had slightly more positive immediate impacts.
The general trend, like many healthy behaviors, is that consistency is important.
What is funny?
Everyone perceives humor differently so what is funny to one person may not be funny to another. The key is identifying what induces you to laughter and consistently incorporate that into life.
Dr. Barbara Kruse at Florida Gulf Coast University set out to identify what older adults found humorous. She found that most were categorized into two groups: 1) People (particularly children) or animals and 2) Situations (particularly jokes) or events.
But don’t take her word for it, identify what “funny” means to you!
Taking action.
Think back to the questions at the beginning of the article. What caused you to laugh? Now think about other times you recall laughing really hard. Is there a theme? And can you recreate those situations?
Consider the following ideas or add your own to this list. • Watch something funny.
It may be a movie, TV show, short video clips or a comedy sketch. If children or animals make you laugh, dig out and watch your old home videos of holidays long ago. Share the humor by sharing the old videos with others who laugh along with you. Ask friends or family with little ones (human or furry types) to send current videos for you to watch when you need a little pick me up.
• Talk story. Retell funny stories from your past and listen to others’ stories. With social distancing in place, talking story may need to happen over the phone or on video chat. After talking story, write your favorites down so that you can return to them anytime.
• Call a friend. You know the friend who you always laugh with? Check in with her or him. Even if you can’t get together in person, schedule a time to catch up regularly and each come prepared to share a good story. • Read something funny.
Do you like comics, memes or a humorous novel? Find comics or memes online and share them with others. Give yourself permission to spend time looking for, reading and sharing humor. • Learn about laughter
clubs. And start your own. Several years ago, I read an article in National Geographic about laughter clubs in India in which groups assemble in public locations each morning for the sole purpose of laughing together. Members were excited to share with the reporter
how these clubs had positively impacted their outlook on life. Search the internet to learn about these and other groups, such as those who practice laughter yoga or other forms of group mirth.
Add to this list. Keep thinking about what brings joy and laughter to you, your friends, and family. Jot down your ideas as they come then figure out how to incorporate them into your life more regularly.
The stress we as a community are experiencing right now calls for us to consciously care for both our physical and mental health. Laughter is just one way to do that. What will you do today that makes you laugh?
Heather Greenwood is with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension, Maui Intergenerational and Aging Programs. Aging Matters will cover topics of interest to the aging Maui community and will appear on the third Saturday of each month.