Laughter Is the Best Medicine: Health Benefits and How to Laugh More

Laughing Is Basically the Human Equivalent of a Superpower

If laughing isn't already a part of your self-care routine, it's time to add it to the list. Whether you're cracking up at a favorite sitcom or secretly chuckling over a cartoon your weird uncle sent you, laughter is doing you a world of good. It is just as good for a quick pick-me-up as it is for your long-term health, and it benefits everyone around you, too. As the iconic Rose Nylund from Golden Girls once said,

"My mother always used to say, 'The older you get, the better you get… unless you're a banana.'"

Well, just like bananas (sort of), we all need a little help to stay fresh, and laughter is a great way to do it. Turns out, laughing isn't just fun. It's basically a life hack.

Why Laughing Is So Great

Laughter's like a mini workout, but for your brain and body. When you laugh, you're doing more than just enjoying a good joke. It boosts your intake of oxygen-rich air, giving your heart, lungs, and muscles a little extra love. That release of endorphins? Those are your brain's feel-good chemicals, kicking in to make sure you know that yes, life's still pretty awesome.

In Golden Girls terms, as Sophia would say, "You think you got it bad? I'm 80. I've seen everything. I've done everything. I've eaten everything. Let's talk about stress."

The science backs her up. Laughter not only activates your stress response, but also cools it down afterward. What's left? A body and mind that feel more relaxed and way less tense. Laughter won't solve all your problems (though it would make traffic less enraging), but there's solid science behind why it helps.

Rose had a lesson for this, too: "If you hold a bird gently, it'll stay. But if you squeeze the bird, its eyes will bug out." The same could be said for stress. If you don't let go of it, it'll mess with you, big time. But now we know laughter can help!

The Short-Term Benefits of Laughing

Here's why cracking up over a sitcom or a dumb joke is more than just entertaining:

• Chuckling Stimulates Your Organs: No, really! Laughing helps you breathe better and gets your heart pumping. It's like cardio… but fun.
• Good Hearty Guffaws Ease Stress: Laughter first revs up your stress response and then cools it down, leaving you in a state of relaxation.
• Giddy Good-Hearted Giggle: Releases body chemicals similar to a mental vacation.
• Sniggering Soothes Tension: Laughing is a great way to boost circulation and relax your muscles. Less tension = less stress.

In short, laughter is the perfect remedy for life's minor (and sometimes major) stresses. And, as Dorothy from Golden Girls might say, "It beats complaining!"

Dad Joke: "Why don't skeletons fight each other? They don't have the guts."

Long-Term Benefits: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Laughter doesn't just work in the moment. It's investing in your future, one giggle at a time:

It Boosts Your Immune System: Stress isn't just in your head; it messes with your body, too. Laughter helps fight off stress and can strengthen your immune system. Positive thoughts trigger neuropeptides, which are basically little bodyguards fighting off stress and illness. So laughing isn't just fun, it's practical!

It Relieves Pain: Did you know laughing is like a natural painkiller? When you laugh, your body produces endorphins, those feel-good hormones that can actually help reduce pain. Think of it as your body's way of saying, "Hey, don't worry, I got this." That makes comedies practically medicinal.

It Improves Your Relationships: People who laugh together tend to bond more. Whether it's with your friends or loved ones, laughing together helps you connect and cope with life's curveballs. Who doesn't want to hang out with someone who knows how to crack a good joke? After all, as Blanche Devereaux would say, "My beauty may be only skin deep, but my need for laughter goes straight to the bone."

It Fights Off Depression: Feeling down? Laughter boosts your mood and self-esteem and helps reduce anxiety and depression, even on tough days. Those who laugh often tend to have a more positive outlook, which is crucial when life throws curveballs your way.

Stress Relief with Laughter? It's No Joke

Laughter is the best for short and long term health benefits. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates lungs and muscles, and increases the release of endorphins. Research indicates that laughter can decrease stress hormones, reduce artery inflammation, and increase your HDLs, the "good" cholesterol. Laughing benefits are many, especially as we age well.

How to Develop a Sense of Humor (Even If You Think You Don't Have One)

Think you're not funny? Think again. Laughter doesn't always come naturally, but humor can be learned, and the benefits of having a good sense of humor are endless. It's a skill, like parallel parking or making a perfect grilled cheese. Here's how to turn up the funny:

Watch and Listen to Comedies: Keep a stash of funny movies, TV shows, or podcasts at the ready for whenever you need a laugh. Comedy is contagious, and the more you expose yourself to it, the better your own humor will become. Need suggestions? Try classic sitcoms like Golden Girls. (Hint: Golden Girls never fails!)

Hang Out with Funny People: Humor is contagious, and spending time with people who make you laugh can help you lighten up. The more, the merrier! As Blanche Devereaux would say, "I laugh every time I look in the mirror."

Put Humor Front and Center: Find stuff that makes you laugh and keep it close by. Photos, cards, comics, whatever gives you the giggles. Make a laugh zone that you can come back to. Watch funny people online, borrow a couple of lines that are conversationally funny, then have fun testing out your new material.

Watch and Listen Like It's Your Job: Comedy specials, podcasts, YouTube bloopers: stock up on funny. Local comedy clubs are great places to watch live stand-up and immerse yourself in humor. Look for local stand-up shows or improv nights; Portland's Helium Comedy Club is a local place to start.

Laugh at Your Own Mess: Life's too short to take seriously. So, you spilled coffee on your shirt before a meeting? That's comedy gold. Life's full of awkward moments, and instead of getting embarrassed, just laugh it off. Dropped your phone in your cereal? Congratulations, you've just made yourself a joke for the day. Try to think of your life as a sitcom with your own encouraging laugh track, or even ask Siri to play one for you: "Hey Siri, play a laugh track."

Try Laughter Yoga (Yes, It's a Thing): If you've never heard of it, laughter yoga involves laughing on purpose until it becomes natural. It may sound weird, but give it a try. Forced laughter soon turns into real laughter in these sessions, and soon enough you'll be laughing without even thinking about it. Look up Laughter Community Portland to try it out.

Share the Fun: Laughter is meant to be shared. Swap jokes with friends, tell funny stories, or just be silly. Got a friend who always has you in stitches? Spend more time with them and bring some jokes to the party. Don't have any jokes in your arsenal? Hit up Powell's City of Books for some joke books. After all, as Sophia would say, "It's not what you do in life, it's how much you laugh while you're doing it."

Dad Joke: "Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!"

Be Funny, but Follow the Golden Rule of Comedy

Focus on how Betty White handles herself and makes life fun and makes people have fun with her. Here is Betty White and Joan Rivers having some fun; enjoy how encouraging she is and what great charisma she has. Remember your self-amusement and having a good time. You can use your tone, energy, and body language to get the room chuckling.

Just remember the Golden Rule of Comedy: Don't be a jerk! Being a jerk is not funny. Here is a joke which is on the edge of jerkdom:

Dad Joke: "I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised."

We all love a good laugh, but keep it friendly. This one jabs at his wife, and that is not really a great idea. Humor at someone else's expense isn't cool. Be kind with your jokes and joke about yourself. It is funny to consider your own situation, and people are interested in you. Here is how to make someone laugh with some silly dad jokes. Think of tossing one into the conversation!

Final Thought: Let Yourself Laugh

As Rose once observed, "We don't have much time left, you know. We could die tomorrow!"

Let's not waste time on being stressed out! Whether it's through watching Golden Girls reruns, cracking a joke with friends, or even just finding humor in the little things, make laughter a part of your daily routine. You'll feel the benefits instantly. As Sophia Petrillo would say, "No matter how bad things are, you can always laugh." A few more Golden Girls favorites to get you started:

• "People waste their time pondering whether a glass is half empty or half full. Me, I just drink whatever's in the glass." (Sophia)
• "Why do blessings wear disguises? If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked." (Sophia)
• "It's like life is a giant weenie roast, and I'm the biggest weenie." (Rose)
• "Tell me the truth: Do these glasses make me look stupid?" (Rose)
• "Go to sleep, sweetheart. Pray for brains." (Dorothy)

Good-Humored Housing for Mom or Dad

Golden Placements helps you manage resources and takes care of the leg work for finding your best living situation so you can enjoy your best Golden Years. Community living and finding the right living choice for you or your loved one is important. We help you navigate the details. Here are more resources to help you learn more:

• Read more about Long Term Care Planning with our friends at ACL
• Oregon defines and describes ADLs legally here: Long Term Care
• Golden Placements resources to find care services
• Senior Living Near Me: Adult Home Placement
• Explore Residential Care Homes for Elderly "near me"

Call us to learn more about finding the perfect place to call home for Mom and increase her wellness for you and your family. Our help is free to families. Contact Golden Placements or call 503-723-7145. We can help find you a home where the laughter keeps you young!