Page 17 - MidValleyTimes 7-4-19 E-edition

Thursday, July 4, 2019 | B3 | Mid Valley TiMes
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Laughter Is Good For You
Laughter is contagious. It is a way to create friendships and give ev- eryone the opportunity to be part of something. Re- cently, I visited the Sierra View Homes Kings Can- yon Dining Room during the evening meal. As I encountered the people at each table, I asked for a “good Joke.” I said I was writing an article about humor and its e ects
on people and I needed some jokes to add to the
Now What?
mix. ere were smiles all around and then the per- son who always has a joke ready responded “You know I have had several good years in my life.” but they were all tires.” It took a moment for that one to sink in but as each person at the table got the meaning of the joke, you could hear the groan and laughter. All of us knew about Goodyear Tires. I thought it was a good joke and repeated
By Ro Linscheid
it at several tables that evening. Each time we all enjoyed the laughter.
Laughing makes people feel good. Studies show that laughter boosts the immune system and triggers the release of pleasure-inducing neu- rochemicals in the brain. e brain then releases powerful endorphins, which are morphine-like compounds that re-
duce pain, increases our sense of well-being and improves the amount
of oxygen in the blood- stream.
Laughter helps to create a positive mood. You cannot stay angry while you laugh. Anxiety and tension release giv- ing way to good feelings. Laughter can become a
temporary vacation from everyday problems. Your sense of humor is one of the most important tools you have to enhance your mood and support good health.
If you laugh easily and are pleasant natured you will nd people will want to be around you. Being able to laugh at yourself adds to your ap- peal to those around you.
Laughter stimulates memories and improves mental acuity in the pop- ulation that have a de- mentia diagnosis. Studies show clowns clowning around with people help improve memory, lan- guage and communica- tion. Maybe it is the red nose that enables these folks to reach back in
their memories and bring those memories to the present.
Some of us have
to work at laughing and some of us laugh easily. I have a few suggestions on how to work on increas- ing your ability to laugh.
Do you smile of- ten? If you smile easily, you have a good start in
a great sense of humor. Smiling is contagious just like laughter and instant- ly creates a warmth and
a feeling of enjoyment. People gravitate towards people who are smiling. Practice smiling at the people you meet. See if they will smile back at you. You might be sur- prised at how good this makes you feel.
Counting your blessings helps you look on the brighter side of life. I encourage you to write down your bless- ings and add to the list as you encounter new ones. is activity will keep you from dwelling on what
is wrong in your life and encourage you to search for positive things to add to the list.
You can watch movies or TV shows that make you smile. “I Love Lucy” is a TV show that comes to mind. Some people make a hobby
of collecting jokes. I found out the resident who is always ready with a joke collects jokes so he is ready to tell a new
one. ere are humorous books to read and then there documentaries such as the one Carl Reiner hosted. e documentary is titled, “If you are not in the obituary, eat break- fast.” Famous elderly people talk about how humor has kept them heathy and has helped with their longevity. Mel Brooks, 93, and Betty White, 97, are a couple of the people interviewed.
I have noticed if
I am in a jovial mood with a ready laugh the people I meet easily and quickly relate to me.
It is easy to strike up a conversation and people feel comfortable talking with me. ey are ready to share a laugh with me. It seems like everyone is waiting for a smile and/ or a laugh. So, have you heard this one; An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor had him tted for a set of hearing aids. is allowed the gentleman
to hear very well. e elderly gentleman came back to see the doctor a month later. e doctor said, “ Your family must be really pleased that
you can hear again.” e gentleman replied, “Oh,
I haven’t told my family yet, I just sit around and listen to the conversa- tions. I have changed my will three times!”
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