Ageless joy: How a good old laugh can keep seniors young

Noteworthy

21 February 2024 by WTF Notebooks

Feeling youthful as you age isn't just about applying anti-aging creams or drinking kale smoothies that taste like freshly mown lawn clippings. Nope, there's a far simpler, more enjoyable way to keep that spring in your step and that twinkle in your eye: laughter!

As the wise ones say, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and boy, are they onto something!

Laughing your way through life isn't just fun; it's downright healthy. So, grab your cup of tea (or that kale smoothie), settle into your comfiest chair, and let's dive into why laughter truly is the best medicine for keeping those senior years feeling more like a joyride than a slow crawl.

The health benefits of laughter

Research shows that laughing is a full-body workout in disguise and can keep your body younger for longer! Flexing your funny bone gets your heart pumping, increases blood flow, and even helps relax those pesky tension knots in your muscles. It's like a spa day for your body, but without the cucumber slices over your eyes.

But hold on to your dentures, because the benefits don't stop there. Let’s talk about those pesky stress hormones that sneak into our lives like uninvited guests at a party. Cortisol and adrenaline, beware! A hearty laugh sends these troublemakers packing faster than you can say “knock-knock joke.” It’s like hitting the reset button on your stress-o-meter.

And let's talk about mental health for a sec. Laughter isn't just a band-aid for a bad day; it's a superhero cape for your brain. It swoops in, banishes stress, and leaves you feeling like you just aced a pop quiz. Plus, it's a fantastic antidote for loneliness. So, if you're feeling a little blue, just dial up a friend, share a few laughs, and watch those worries disappear faster than socks in a dryer.

And if that’s not enough, laughter has another major benefit that (indirectly) helps to stay young: It’s a social glue that binds us together, fostering deeper connections and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether it’s sharing a witty quip with friends or attending a laughter yoga class (yes, that’s a thing!), laughter brings people closer in ways that words alone cannot express.

Ways to induce some laughter into your senior years

Life's too short to be serious all the time, so let's dive into some tips to sprinkle humor into your everyday routine and turn those wrinkles into laugh lines:

Start your day with a dose of humour

Find a way to kickstart your morning with a joke and you’ll soon notice how it adds more fun to the rest of every day. For example, swap out your boring old calendar for one that delivers a fresh joke every morning. Or simply look into the mirror and laugh at yourself.

Find the funny in the everyday

Life is full of little absurdities if you look closely enough. From misplaced glasses to forgetting where you parked your car (again), there's humour to be found in the everyday mishaps. So instead of getting frustrated, why not chuckle at life's quirks?

Let your inner jokester shine

Rock a t-shirt with a witty saying or carry around a WTF Notebook with a title that'll make even the grumpiest grandpa crack a smile. It's the perfect way to keep your sense of humour sharp as a tack.

Don't take yourself too seriously

Let's face it, none of us are getting out of here alive, so why not lighten up a little? Embrace your quirks, flaws, and imperfections, and don't be afraid to poke fun at yourself every once in a while. After all, life's too short to be serious all the time. A good way to do this is with fun little reminders, such as a relatable, funny title from WTF Notebooks. Check them out here.

Spend quality time with your nearest and dearest

After all, good times are always filled with laughter, so gather your loved ones, swap stories, and let the giggles flow. Always remember to laugh with others, not at them, and spread joy and laughter wherever you go.

Actively seek out laughter

...and make it a priority: Whether it's catching a comedy show, tuning into a hilarious podcast, or watching a classic comedy flick, prioritise those belly laughs like they're golden nuggets!

So, there you have it, folks. Laughter isn't just good for the soul; it's a secret weapon for staying young at heart. So, go ahead, chuckle a little louder, laugh a little longer, and embrace the joy that comes with living life with a smile. Cheers to staying forever young!