I love to laugh. My problem is that I don’t create enough opportunities to laugh. I have a hunch I’m not alone in this conundrum. Intuitively I know that laughter is good for me. So, I dug into this to identify the health reasons that laughter is good for us in midlife. As you read about these health reasons, I’m sprinkling in humorous videos. Give yourself a break from whatever you’re in the middle of and enjoy a good laugh.
Laughter is Medicine
You’ve probably heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. It turns out this is not just a mere adage but a scientifically proven therapy with profound benefits, especially as we navigate the ups and downs of our midlife journey. Let’s face it, midlife can be riddled with stress, health concerns, and an ongoing quest for deeper meaning. So, let’s explore the multifaceted benefits of laughter, which prove to be a natural benefit for both physical and mental well-being.
Physical Health Benefits of Laughter
Laughter has several key benefits to your physical health. The articles linked up below provide more detail. Here’s a summary.
Cardiovascular Health: A study in 2018 highlighted that laughter therapy can effectively delay cardiovascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes, which is a common concern in midlife. When you watch something humorous it can reduce the overall rise in heart complications.
Enhanced Respiratory Function: Laughter gives our respiratory system a rigorous workout. You can think of it as an internal jogging that massages the abdominal organs and enhances lung capacity, which is crucial as we age.
Calorie Burning: Laughing is not going to replace the gym, but it does burn calories. Laughter is a fun way to supplement your fitness routine, especially when finding time for physical exercise can sometimes be more challenging in midlife.
Laughter also has several key benefits to your mental health. The articles linked up below provide more detail. Here’s a summary.
Mental Health Benefits of Laughter
Stress Relief: Midlife can be a time of significant stress. The good news is that laughter is a potent stress-buster. It decreases stress hormones and increases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. This can lead to an improved mood and reduced feelings of stress.
Combatting Depression and Anxiety: In midlife, the risk of depression and anxiety often increases. Laughter has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it a viable tool for mental health maintenance.
Boosts Resilience and Mental Agility: Laughter enhances resilience by adding joy and zest to life. It also improves cognitive functions like memory, which is a significant benefit as we age through our midlife decades.
Embracing Laughter As An Alternative to a Midlife Crisis
Midlife is filled with many challenges and opportunities. Rather than succumb to the pressures of midlife anxiety, taking a proactive approach to finding laughter can be the best way to overcome a midlife crisis.
As your responsibilities and health concerns increase, you can make it a priority to find joy and lightness in everyday life. Laughter is an accessible, cost-effective, and enjoyable way to enhance both physical and mental health. Whether it’s through comedy shows, humorous books, or laughter yoga sessions, integrating laughter into daily life can be a transformative practice for your midlife journey.
Ways to Find Laughter
You can find laughter through various sources in your daily life. Here are some easily accessible sources of laughter:
Television Shows: Many TV shows incorporate laugh tracks to enhance the viewing experience. These tracks are designed to induce a positive response from the audience, which adds a communal feel to the humor presented on screen. Find TV shows with humor that suit your taste.
Comedy Clubs: You can find comedy clubs in just about any city with a medium-to-large population. I live in Tampa Bay and a quick Google search offered options like the Tampa Funny Bone Comedy Club. This is one example of venues dedicated to providing humor. Comedy clubs feature stand-up comedians who bring live, interactive comedy to audiences, providing a night full of laughter and entertainment.
Movies and Theater: Films, especially comedies, are a great source of laughter. Additionally, theater productions, including comedic plays and musicals, offer a live experience that can be both hilarious and engaging. Likewise, a Google search will enable you to discover local theater productions where you can find laughter.
Online Videos and Social Media: Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and other social media sites are abundant with humorous content, ranging from funny animal videos to comedy sketches. You can search for them using keywords like “comedy” as well as search hashtags like #funnyanimalvideos. Try it and see what you discover that makes you laugh anytime, anywhere and it’s free.
Books and Comics: Comic books, humorous novels, and funny autobiographies can provide a good laugh, often in a more personal and intimate setting. Search on your favorite online bookstore, or go old school and visit a local library. You do you remember the library, don’t you? 😉
Podcasts and Radio Shows: Comedy podcasts and radio shows can offer a blend of humor, storytelling, and interviews, providing laughter for listeners on the go. Open your favorite podcast player app and search for laughter using keywords like “funny podcasts” or “comedy podcasts” and you’ll find many podcast shows to choose from for laughs.
Friends and Family: Sometimes, we can find laughter within our own circle of friends and family. The key is to make it a point to spend time with loved ones, sharing jokes, funny stories, or just enjoying each other’s company.
Each of these sources offers a unique way to experience and enjoy more laughter, contributing positively to our overall well-being.
Laughter is a powerful and natural tool that can significantly improve the quality of life in midlife and it doesn’t require a prescription from a physician. That was supposed to be funny. If you didn’t laugh, that’s okay. I didn’t list me as a source of laughter above for a reason. Just remember that it’s not just about the occasional chuckle but a sustained practice of laughter in your life that can lead to long-lasting health benefits. So, embrace laughter – watch that funny movie, share a joke, or simply smile more. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
Download the Thriving in Midlife report.
Feature image by Freepik
