You’ve probably heard people say that laughter is the best medicine. While there is no real replacement for medical care, laughter can reduce the need for it—especially in senior care. The caring companionship providers at Visiting Angels in Toms River, NJ, know that a little humor can go a long way toward keeping seniors ready and fit for independent living. Below, they’ve highlighted a few of the main health benefits that laughter provides.

How Laughter Helps in Senior Care

1. Boosts the Mood

A little laughter increases the release of endorphins, which counteracts against anxiety, depression, stress, and even physical pain. Seniors who laugh more often have less of a need for other pain management solutions and naturally experience a more positive outlook on life. Stress and depression have their own detrimental effects, so anything that relieves them is beneficial to overall health.

2. Enhances the Immune System

While the mechanism for this effect is unknown, the result itself is well documented. Dr. Lee Berk at Loma Linda University in California took blood samples from patients before and after they watched a funny movie. Compared to the control group, the patients who had watched the comedy showed increased immune functions afterward, with more of the body’s natural defensive cells present in the samples.

3. Exercises the Abdomen

A good, hearty laugh makes your stomach sore because those muscles are getting an excellent workout. The diaphragm and core muscles are important, especially in seniors who experience asthma or bronchitis. Keeping them toned with laughter means they’ll function better throughout the day, easing the shortness of breath many seniors otherwise experience.

If you or a loved one are looking for senior care that will brighten your day as well as provide for your home care needs, contact Visiting Angels at (732) 240-1050 or reach out online.