U.S. Surgeon General Warns of Dangers of Isolation: Laughter Offers Multiple Health Benefits, Opportunity to Connect

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

~Victor Borge

In May of 2023 U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released the following in his report: “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,4 and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.”

This is a concern for all individuals, but the senior population tends to be especially susceptible with 24 percent of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older considered to be socially isolated. And with increased isolation comes the increased risk of early mortality and dementia, along with increased risk of death for individuals with certain health conditions like heart failure. (Citation: National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557972/)

Thankfully the World Health Organization is launching a global initiative to address this problem (https://fortune.com/well/2023/11/15/global-initiative-loneliness-epidemic-vivek-murthy-surgeon-general-world-health-organization/).

Laughter Influences Our Bodies and Minds Positively

While there is no easy solution or one answer, one viable and enjoyable resource available to help with this problem, by connecting people, is laughter. Offering older adults opportunities to gather and laugh with one another enables them to create a special bond and experience the multiple health and wellness benefits that come with laughter.

Published research states that when we laugh, we release the natural hormone oxytocin, which creates a “warm and fuzzy” feeling, as well as endorphins –feel good hormones-- making it easier for us to trust and bond with others. (Citation: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317756)

In addition to the connection and socialization we experience when laughing, laughter is also said to be good for heart health, circulation, immune health, and so much more. (Citation: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456)

?How Do I Deliver A Healthy Dose of Laughter for Seniors?

You might be wondering, “So how do I get clients/patients laughing? I’m not a comedian.”

Let me introduce Laughter Yoga!? It was created by Dr. Madan Kataria who knew the benefits of laughter personally as well as the research and wanted people to get their daily fill. The idea is that we can choose to laugh as a practice or activity without hearing a joke or other humorous stimulus. The body does not know the difference between “real” laughter and simulated or intentional laughter, so the valuable benefits are still experienced. (https://www.laughteryoga.org/about-laughter-yoga/)

Laughter yoga leaders, like myself, encourage participants to inhale and exhale, laugh, and clap rather than try to elicit laughter by telling a joke that might be perceived as not funny because of personal taste or not fully understood because of cognitive ability or contextual experience.

Help Your Clients Connect and Experience Healthy Benefits of Laughter

Through my business Laugh to Live, I present laughter yoga session to people of all ages in a variety of settings.

I lead intentional laughter activities that include breathing exercises, clapping, laughing and simple movements.

?Laughter Yoga is NOT like traditional yoga in the sense that no yoga mat is used; participants do not need to wear fitness clothes or to touch their toes. It is about breathing, clapping, laughing and enjoying the multiple benefits that come from laughter, from head to toe.

Let’s Connect!

Call or email me today to discuss the idea of uplifting and connecting the seniors you serve through life-enhancing laughter. I can be reached at 570-650-7518 or [email protected].