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Senior Moments: How humor impacts health

Ron Owens
By: 
Ron Owens, MA

“We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we are happy because we laugh.” – William James

Over the last 30 years, hundreds of researchers have studied the health benefits of humor and laughter for healthy and ill adults, children, teens and older adults. These studies have found that there are many physical, mental, and social benefits of laughter. Studies have also shown that we laugh less as we age, with pre-school children laughing up to 400 times a day, adults laughing on average about 17 times a day, and older adults laughing even less.

Now it would seem logical that as we age, life becomes far more serious and we find far fewer things to laugh about. But the loss of laughter and humor can be detrimental to our health. Perhaps the time has come when we should be more serious about humor.

So what happens in our bodies when we laugh? Does anything change? Do those changes have the potential to affect our short and long-term health? Here is a brief run down on some of the medically documented benefits of laughter. The levels of two hormones that regulate the body’s response to stress, cortisol and epinephrine, are reduced. When these hormones decrease, the negative effects of stress on our bodies also decreases, including the negative effects of elevated blood cholesterol.

When we laugh, the brain releases endorphins, our bodies’ natural pain relievers. Endorphins can relieve some of the painful effects of arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. A link has also been found between endorphins and the healthy functioning of blood vessels, with laughter helping to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow. So, laughter can also reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Laughter also boosts the number of antibody producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, thereby strengthening the immune system.

Laughter can also improve the digestive system. When we laugh our stomachs secrete enzymes that are more efficient in breaking down food. And some of these enzymes may actually help prevent the formation of ulcers. Laughter also relaxes the body, so don’t ever start laughing when you’re carrying something heavy.

A hearty laugh improves lung ventilation, thus helping to reduce chronic respiratory conditions. Laughter can also give the diaphragm, stomach, back, and facial muscles a workout, which is why we often feel exhausted after a long laughing spell. We have just had an aerobic workout!

And then there are the social benefits of laughter. Laughter is the universal language found throughout the world. Laughter breaks down the barriers of culture, race, economic classes, nationality, and governmental philosophies. Laughter is often the glue that keeps relationships together. Laughter connects us with each other and gives us the strength to get through tough times.

So what makes you laugh? When is the last time you had a good belly laugh? And when is the last time that you laughed at yourself? If you’re looking for ideas, you might try activities like:

  • Playing silly games with a young child, a puppy, or a kitten.
  • Watching TV reruns of I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Abbott and Costello, or whatever makes you smile.
  • Watching comedy movies, such as The Pink Panther or Ground Hog Day. These movies are available from libraries.
  • Reading your favorite comics in the newspaper.
  • Telling a few jokes now and then.
  • Visiting a humor website once a day to get your daily dose of one-liners. Quotes from Will Rogers and Mark Twain are excellent starting points.
  • Taking a look in the Bible. It’s easy if you go online and search under “humor and laughter in the Bible.”
  • And lastly, checking out the cartoon calendars of the Rev. Jay Sidebotham to learn why Episcopalians, themselves, just might be humorous.

Here is the bottom line. Humor has positive effects on all aspects of our lives. Most importantly, it changes our perspective and helps us to reach outside ourselves. Said another way, those who laugh last not only laugh best, they most likely have a lot more fun on life’s journey. Just remember to smile. It’s contagious!

Ron Owens, MA is a professional speaker who takes humor seriously. In his presentation, “Rejoice and Be Glad,” Ron illustrates the many joys (and laughs) of our faith. Please address any related email correspondence to humorresources@optimum.net.