Laughing Your Way to Better Health - It Can Really Happen!

There may be more truth to the saying “Laughter is the best medicine” than once thought. For years, scientists have marveled at the health benefits of a good chuckle. According to WebMD, humans change physiologically when we laugh. Our blood pressure and pulse elevate and we breathe faster, pushing more oxygen to our tissues. Some researchers even compare a hearty laugh’s ability to raise our heart rate to vigorous exercise.

For home care patients living with chronic illnesses, laughter may be especially beneficial. Numerous studies have shown that the most convincing benefit of laughter is its ability to dull pain. Those with painful chronic illnesses have consistently reported some relief from pain while laughing. No matter their specific needs, children to senior home care patients can all benefit from a good laugh.

Regular laughing throughout the day has consistently been connected to:

• Sleeping Better: 10 minutes of laughing before sleep can help people relax and sleep better throughout the night.
• Strengthened Immune System: Laughing can act like a pump to cycle fluids through the lymphatic system, filtering them and leaving them better prepared to fight sickness.
• Improved Circulation: Blood vessels throughout the body expand and contract more fluidly when laughing which improves blood flow to the heart.
• Decreased Blood Sugar Levels: Studies have shown that in-home care patients with diabetes can lower their blood sugar level simply by laughing.

Perhaps the most obvious (and most beneficial) benefit of laughter is its ability to improve our mood. Laughing also has many social benefits as it allows us to better bond with and create relationships with those around us.

The home care professionals at the Best Home Care office are always laughing and we encourage our personal care assistants to laugh as often as possible as well! Incorporating humor into a PCA’s home care plan is an easy way to improve the health of home care patients with a smile. Contact us to discover unique and fun ways to bring laughter into your daily personal care services!