Laughter is the best medicine, so they say, and it’s hard to deny that a hearty belly laugh is one of the greatest feelings in the world. It’s amazing how tickling your funny bone can suddenly make the world seem brighter, help your mood seem lighter and bring you closer to others.
“Laughter is a fantastic tool in your caregiving arsenal because of its many physical, mental and emotional benefits,” says Erica Labb, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford. “While cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s are no laughing matter, that doesn’t mean that doom and gloom should be your norm. In fact, finding the humor in the day-to-day helps make the journey fulfilling for you and your loved one.”
Erica says that many people – particularly first-time caregivers who are beginning their journey – may feel guilty about laughing or finding humor in their daily situation. But, she says, you and your loved one are still entitled to retain positivity and joy and find the happiness in each and every day. “In fact, it’s essential that you do so,” she says. “At Bridges, our mission is to create meaningful and fulfilling moments each and every day, and laughter is a great way to do that.”
The Benefits of Laughter
It lowers blood pressure. Laughter almost instantly reduces tension, relieves stress and drops blood pressure. This, in turn, reduces the chance of stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Considering how strongly our cardiovascular system is tied to our brain, laughter can be an excellent way to help your loved one maintain and potentially stave off further cognitive decline, at least for a while.
It’s a great workout. Can you laugh your way to a flat belly? Perhaps not completely, but laughing does work your abdominal muscles and help tone your core. At the same time, laughing will make the muscles that you normally use to relax – think of the tension you may carry in your shoulders or neck. Laugh for a minute or two and then take stock of how your body feels. Your muscles should feel a little looser (and your mood a little sunnier).
It can redirect or reduce unwanted behaviors. People who live with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia suffer from depression, frustration, confusion and anxiety on a daily basis. These strong emotions can cause them to act out in unwanted ways, which can be difficult and stressful for caregivers and other loved ones. Infusing laughter into the situation can help redirect those behaviors and give your senior loved one an opportunity to de-stress and de-escalate.
It boosts your immune system. It may seem hard to believe, but when you laugh, your body instantly goes into “repair” mode and works overtime to help you fight off sickness and ease pain. For example, T-cells are specialized immune system cells that become activated when you laugh. You also release endorphins when you laugh, which have been proven to help reduce chronic pain and inflammation. In other words, laughing really is the best medicine (and it’s free).
It creates meaningful moments and bonds us together. Sharing a laugh with someone creates an instant bond between you and that other person. For someone whose communication abilities have diminished, laughter is a great way to communicate and connect in a stress-free and frustration-free way. It also provides moments of joy, which are so important for both caregivers and seniors with dementia.
Tips on Bringing More Laughter into Your Life
Watch a funny movie or TV show together. Cue up a favorite TV show from your loved one’s past and have a chuckle together on the couch. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Try laughter yoga. It sounds silly – which is a good thing – but an exercise called “laughter yoga” has been gaining traction across the country. The practice, which originated in Japan, is actual therapy that has shown great benefits for individuals 60 and over. Apparently, our bodies can’t tell the difference between “faking it” and actually laughing. Perhaps best of all, the silliness of the practice actually spurs genuine giggles and guffaws.
Find things that bring you joy. Laughter doesn’t always have to be spurred by something funny. It can be a natural reaction to something that delights you or brings you joy. If your loved one enjoys animals, consider having a friend bring over their well-mannered dog, or spend some time watching silly cat videos online.
Find the funny in everyday moments. There are a lot of humorous moments that can happen during a day. Whether it’s something that your loved one has said that’s funny, or a situation you find yourself in, find the humor in the moment and enjoy it. Of course, it’s important to make sure you’re not laughing at your loved one or doing anything mocking. But if Mom says something that’s funny or cracks a joke, it’s okay to laugh. And don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.
Crack jokes. Your loved one is still the same person he or she was before the disease. So if you were comfortable making jokes with them before, continue to do so. It may feel odd at first, but eventually you’ll find it becomes more and more natural (and your loved one will probably crack jokes back at you, too).
“If you actively seek out humor every day, you’ll be able to find it,” says Erica. “The world is a joyful, funny and interesting place, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to find opportunities to laugh and build that bond between you and your loved one.”
Comprehensive Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford delivers highly specialized memory care assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resident-centered approach focuses on providing dignity, purpose and moments of joy in daily life for those in all stages of the disease. We offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that centers around a resident’s current skills and abilities, not those that have been lost to dementia.
Life-Enriching Programs
Our team members take an active role in getting to know each resident on a personal level to deliver programming that is meaningful to them. We account for the preferences, interests, needs and abilities of our residents to connect with them and encourage their involvement in daily life and boost self-esteem.
Warm, Residential Atmosphere
Featuring a stunning residential design, every inch of our community has been designed to benefit those with memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable, safe and at home.
Contact us today to learn more.