There’s an essential healing element that should be a part of every senior’s day, and it doesn’t come via a doctor’s prescription. Studies have proven seniors can enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing through the simple act of laughing. Laughter can be a powerful natural medicine, and here are three reasons your senior loved one should find an excuse to laugh as often as possible.
1. Lessens Tension & Pain
A good belly laugh or even the smile that results from a good joke can relax tension in the muscles and soothe body aches and pains for as long as 45 minutes. Laughter helps the body release endorphins, the feel-good substances in the brain, and it also reduces harmful levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. When aches and pains become less evident, your loved one is more likely to get moving, get interested, and get more involved in physical activity.
Exercising is a great way to stay healthy in the golden years. However, some seniors may need assistance with physical activity. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Align Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care. Portland Align Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Strengthens Immunity
Another key health benefit of laughter is the impact it has on the immune system, which is often weaker in the senior years, leading to a higher risk of illness and disease. However, laughter has been proven to increase the production of infection-fighting antibodies in the immune system. It also cleanses the lymphatic system, an important part of the complex immune system, and it keeps stress hormones at low levels, which can ensure the immune system works properly and prevents illness.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare. Align Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. Boosts Emotional Health
Being receptive to laughter can take the edge off some of the challenging aspects of aging and help your loved one stay positive as his or her need for care grows. When laughter becomes a part of everyday life, the likelihood of happiness increases and the risk of becoming depressed greatly decreases. Medical studies have shown laughter leads to optimism, which in turn enhances both psychological and physical resiliency in seniors. The more your loved one laughs, the better he or she can face adversity in life, including loss, health complications, and financial dilemmas.
Laughter is beneficial for caregivers as well, and family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Portland, ME, Align Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (207) 606-8419.