Everyone has heard that laughter is the best medicine, but have you ever sought out ways to laugh more? You should. Particularly if you’re a woman over 50. It turns out, laughter is not only emotionally good for you, but also physically. I’ll show you why you should make it a point to laugh daily. 

Unfortunately, it seems as though the older we get, the less we laugh. The reason for this could vary. One reason is that laughter is often a social behavior. If we are more solitary than we used to be, we might laugh less. A study of adults over 65 in Japan showed that 19% of participants only laughed 4 times a month. Let’s make sure this isn’t you. Make it a point to laugh every day!

Read on to see how to get the laughs going, and why you should.

 

WHY EXPERTS SAY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU

Japan certainly likes their studies on the subject. Another study conducted on laughter found an association between laughing with others and a reduced risk of developing functional disabilities. 

Did you know that laughter is a way to relieve stress? It, not only immediately lightens your mood, but also has short-term and long-term effects on your health. I don’t know about you, but given the choice between laughter as medicine and just about anything else, I choose to laugh!

Benefits of Laughter:

• Soothes tension
• Stimulates your organs – It’s like a workout for your insides!
• Activates stress response – decrease in heart rate and blood pressure
• Improves immune system
• Relieves pain
• Improve mood

 

Laughter as Medicine

#1 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Laughter Is the Best Medicine: 101 Feel-Good Stories  Amazon $9

#2 Healing Through Humor Amazon $11

#3 The Cancer that Died of Laughter- An amazing story of a man who cured his terminal cancer through laughter! Amazon $11

5 WAYS TO GET YOURSELF LAUGHING

Now you know why, as a woman over 50,  it’s important to laugh. But what if you don’t laugh like you used to? What if you don’t seem to find humor in the things that would have made you laugh in the past? These last two years, in particular, have been tough on us all. 

Fear not. You are not a lost cause. You can learn to laugh much like you can learn to do anything. Not only that, once you make it a point to see the humor in things, you will find what you seek. You can learn to laugh over the simple things. 

Read my post here on Learning to Laugh at Yourself Over a Little Spilled Gas. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then you might have a hard time laughing at anything else. I hope you enjoy it!

 

#1 FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

Literally. Fake laugh. I know it may sound silly, but it works! The more deranged and maniacal you sound, the funnier it will be and next thing you know, you’ll be laughing. I promise. Try it now. 

The best news is that research shows that self-induced laughter can be even more beneficial than the organic, spontaneous kind! 

#2 READ BOOKS THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH

Your idea of a funny book may be different from mine. Perhaps you like to read nonfiction books written by comedians. Or a lighthearted rom-com (I love Sophie Kinsella, her books always make me laugh out loud.)

 

#3 WATCH A FUNNY VIDEO OR MOVIE

We’re very lucky to have YouTube and the like at our fingertips. You can find an old standup and one of your favorite comedians. Or you can discover your new favorite. If you find a channel that consistently makes you laugh, subscribe and be sure to watch their videos daily. Doctor’s orders. (I’m not a doctor.)

And of course, there are movies. We all have that one movie that might be a little silly, the one we might consider a guilty pleasure. Who cares, if it makes you laugh, watch it! Ask people in your circle what the funniest movie they ever saw. Then buy/rent them and get to laughing! 

Suggestions from my Instagram audience and my private Facebook group GRANDwomen with Moxie:

• Planes, Trains and Automobiles
• This is Spinal Tap
• What About Bob
• O Brother, Where Art Thou?
• Sense & Sensibility
• It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
• Arthur (1981)
• Blazing Saddles – This movie got the most votes!
• Silver Streak
• Some Like It Hot
• Home Alone
• There’s Something About Mary
• Napoleon Dynamite
• Young Frankenstein
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Office Space
• Something’s Gotta Give
• Poms
• Superbad

There are more recommendations on Instagram and Facebook.

#4 LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH

Between Audible, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, podcasts, and more, there are so many paid or free options to access audio immediately. And they all have comedy playlists, channels, and podcasts. 

 

#5 LEARN THE RULES OF BEING FUNNY

Alright, so maybe you won’t be the next Steve Martin. However, learning what makes things funny will help you see the humor in many situations. There are books, videos, and even masterclasses! 

 

Learn to Be Funny

#1 You Can Be Funny and Make People Laugh Amazon $15

#2 The Comic Toolbox How to Be Funny Even If You’re Not Amazon $15

#3 Improve Your Conversations: Think on Your Feet, Witty Banter, and Always Know What to Say with Improv Comedy Techniques- Amazon $11

There you have it. An excuse to laugh more and to find ways to laugh. In case you needed it. Especially if you’re a woman over 50, I hope you’ll try to incorporate laughter as medicine in your life! 

I am smiling. 

 

What is your go-to when you need a laugh? Please share your wisdom with me in the comments.

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