“We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we’re happy because we laugh.” -William James (1842–1910)
Could anyone out there use some moments of lightness right about now?
People of all ages have been facing some tough situations of late, and times have been difficult. Not only here in Whatcom County, but around the world.
If laughter really is the best medicine, as Reader’s Digest has been telling us for decades, then perhaps it’s time we all took a big dose, laughing ourselves and others into happiness with more smiles and humor.
The easiest way to bring more lightness into everyday life is to intentionally try to spend time engaging with people of all ages and in activities that make you laugh. Work more “feel good” people and experiences into your life.
Here are a few more ways to fill your life with moments of laughter, lightness and joy. These activities and strategies also can bring smiles and laughter into the lives of older adults around you, whether they are living in long-term care, in another state or next door.
Smile more. Cultivate an attitude of positivity; the more you smile at others, the more they’ll smile at you. According to Verywell Mind, “the part of your brain that is responsible for controlling the facial expression of smiling is an unconscious automatic response area.” In other words, people around you are likely to mimic your smile unconsciously. Smiling is contagious!
Laugh more. It’s not just smiling that’s contagious. According to Psychology Today, laughter is contagious, too, and sharing a laugh reinforces social bonds. Have a good giggle and see who joins in! Reminisce with friends and family members about funny things that have happened at other times in your life. Work this question into conversations with elderly loved ones: “Tell me something funny that happened to you when you were little.”
Watch a funny video. Would you believe that watching humorous videos on TV or online can improve short-term memory in older adults? That’s what one study found. The researchers found that showing laugh-out-loud videos to seniors helped improve both learning ability and delayed recall. Google the term “cute puppy videos,” and you’ll surely come across content that will make you smile. Share those videos with an elderly loved one. They like cute critters, too! You can smile and laugh together.
Count blessings. For a good laugh, it helps to be in the right mood. And to be in the right mood, it helps to think positively. Help an older adult write a list of the many ways they have been blessed in life, and then post the list where they will see it often. (Idea: Make a list for yourself at the same time.) Thinking about good things will help boost everyone’s mood.
Talk about funny things. Ask people to tell you their favorite joke. Ask them what’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to them or someone they know. Talk about funny experiences you’ve had. Sharing your funny stories will help brighten the day of others.
There are many ways to infuse more laughter into your life and the lives of those around you. Not only does laughter come with a host of health benefits, but laughing more also can truly make life more enjoyable. Here at CHCC in Lynden, we try to incorporate moments of laughter and lightness into each day. It’s not always easy, but it’s a great habit to cultivate.