Q. At 84, I currently need more humor and laughter in my life. Any ideas on how to make that happen? And how does humor fit into successful aging? Thank you. L.H.

One of the most important daily human activities experienced by every culture and at any age is having a sense of humor, according to Gil Greengross, an evolutionary psychologist. We start developing that as early as 6 weeks in response to stimuli.

Besides just enjoying a good laugh, having a sense of humor is good for one’s health, particularly in relieving stress. As the Mayo Clinic staff writes, “Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke.” It’s not possible to laugh and be stressed at the same time since a good chuckle triggers the release of feel-good chemicals. 

This following story of interest was posted by someone named Dave the Lighthouse Keeper on an AARP website about an exercise he recommends:  

“I start by standing outside behind the house. With a five-pound potato sack in each hand, I extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there as long as I can. After a few weeks, I moved up to 10-pound potato sacks, then 50-pound potato sacks and finally I got to where I could lift a 100-pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms straight out for more than a full minute! Next, I started putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but I would caution you not to overdo it at this level.” (chuckle) 

Having a sense of humor has short-term effects.  

Stimulates many organs. Laughter increases the intake of oxygen-rich air that we breathe, stimulating heart, lungs and muscles. At the same time, it increases endorphins, the hormone secreted from the brain and pituitary gland that makes us feel good. 

Relieves a stress response. Laughter makes us feel good and relaxed as it decreases heart rate and blood pressure. 

Soothes tension. It can stimulate circulation and help muscles to relax. Both can help reduce some of the physical symptom of stress.

Having a sense of humor also has longer-term effects. 

Improves the immune system. Negative thoughts and chronic stress create a chemical reaction in the body that reduces immunity. Having positive thoughts releases something called neuropeptides that help fights stress and potentially more serious illnesses. 

Relieves pain. Laughter produces its own painkillers. Along with releasing endorphins, the brain’s natural pain reliever, laughter alters levels of serotonin and dopamine which are mood boosters. 

Improves mood. Suffering from a chronic illness may lead to a feeling of depression and anxiety. Laughter can help lessen these feelings, making one feel happier and even improve self-esteem, according to the Mayo Clinic.  

One can learn to develop a sense of humor as well as learn to laugh. Here are a few tips on how to make that happen, as recommended by Everyday Health. 

Try to be funny and relax. Everyday Health provides the following example. If you spill a cup of coffee while out with a friend, don’t fret, just say, “Now that I have your attention” or “It’s just half and half, half on the table and half on my lap.” 

Consider curating your own collection of comedy bits. Try to protect yourself and avoid something called “doomscrolling,” a trend to consume lots of negative news. Instead, surround yourself with funny content. If you use social media, “like” as many pages that make you laugh. Humorous items will then show up more often in your feeds. 

Then there is laughter yoga. This is a contemporary technique consisting of breathing exercises, clapping and chanting and mimicking laughter. That’s laughing out loud and forcing laughter. 

Try a variation of the gratitude journal but just for humor. Consider writing down three amusing things that happen each day for a week. One study found that participants who did just that had a decrease in their depression symptoms and increased their overall happiness for up to six months. 

We might remember Norman Cousins, editor of Saturday Review, author and professor who suffered from a painful, life-threatening connective tissue disease. Cousins persuaded his nurses to read him excerpts from the humor columns of E.B. White and Max Eastman and show him “Candid Camera” reruns and old Marx Brothers movies. He said the key to his recovery was a powerful drug called laughter, as quoted in a 1986 Washington Post story. He joined the UCLA School of Medicine in 1978. 

L.H., thank you for your good question. Best wishes in having a daily chuckle, be well and kind to yourself and others. 

Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at [email protected]. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity

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