Everyone loves a good laugh, and for many, it breaks the monotony of the day — and for good reason. Laughter has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood, boosting the immune system, and even lowering blood pressure. In recent years, laugh therapy has gained popularity as a form of alternative therapy, especially among seniors. Let’s discuss how laugh therapy works and its potential benefits for Australian seniors.
What is Laugh Therapy?
Laugh therapy, also known as laughter yoga, is a form of therapy that combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques. It was developed in India by Dr. Madan Kataria in the 1990s and has since spread to over 100 countries. The idea behind laugh therapy is that the body cannot differentiate between genuine and fake laughter, so the act of laughing can produce the same health benefits as genuine laughter.
In a typical laugh therapy session, participants gather in a group and engage in various laughter exercises such as “clapping and laughing,” “milkshake laughter,” and “silent laughter.” These exercises are usually led by a trained laugh therapist and are designed to simulate laughter and promote positive feelings. The group may also engage in yogic breathing exercises to help oxygenate the body and reduce stress.
Benefits of Laugh Therapy for Seniors
Lower stress and anxiety
Seniors may experience stress and anxiety due to various factors such as health conditions, financial concerns, or social isolation. Laugh therapy has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety by increasing the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. The Mayo Clinic, in particular, tagged laugh therapy as stress relieving because aside from endorphin release it can also stimulate multiple organs.
Improves mood
Laugh therapy can improve moods by increasing the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who may experience feelings of depression or loneliness.
Immune booster
Laugh therapy has been shown to boost the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and activating T-cells, which are responsible for fighting off viruses and infections. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who may have weakened immune systems due to age or health conditions.
In one such example, UniSA nursing professor Paul Bennett spent several years researching for a study on how laugh therapy can aid seniors already on dialysis. The work involved sending laughter therapy and wellness specialists to dialysis clinics to conduct “laugh interventions,” as dialysis sessions are often tagged as lonely for the patient. The results established that laughing exercises raised the spirits of the patients.
Lowers blood pressure
Laugh therapy has been shown to lower blood pressure by reducing the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who may have high blood pressure due to age or health conditions.
Social interaction
Laugh therapy can promote social interaction and help seniors connect with others in a fun and lighthearted way. This can be especially beneficial for seniors who may experience social isolation or loneliness. When not in a laugh therapy session, a loved one may even encourage you to come with them to a local comedy club, but make sure that the comedy club offers specific seniors-only sessions.
Laugh therapy may even work for seniors already in aged care. Back in 2015, UNSW’s Dementia Collaborative Research Centre organised the Sydney Multi-site Interventions by Laughter bosses and Elder clowns (SMILE) study to test how laughing therapy might benefit seniors in a nursing home. Sample sessions revealed that seniors in facilities covered by the study were less agitated and did not require antipsychotic medication to calm them down.
Conclusion
Laugh therapy is a fun and effective form of therapy that can benefit seniors in numerous ways. It can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and promote social interaction. If you’re a senior looking for a fun and lighthearted way to improve your health, consider trying laugh therapy, as it really is the best medicine!
The A.S.A.G. Reverse Mortgage
The A.S.A.G. Reverse Mortgage may aid with financing laugh therapy sessions as part of an aged care programme. Depending on the status of the property’s equity, the money can be used to pay for a set number of workshops, differing between one to three hours. If some seniors are part of a community group for the elderly, take note that some Australian laugh therapy practitioners may offer group packages or even special retreats that also include other wellness activities.
The pandemic has been a setback for laugh therapy sessions for seniors due to the risk of contamination in controlled spaces. To this end, notable laugh therapy practices may offer online sessions to connect patients over a secure channel.
Please call A.S.A.G. at 1300 002 724 or email to info@asagfirst.com.au for further information on your financial viability.
You can use our equity assessment tool below to determine the equity you need for your loan.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute official advice. A.S.A.G. is not affiliated with any mentioned brands or companies.