Smiling and laughing have proven to be two of the most natural medicines in the world. Though some seniors may find it difficult to focus on positivity if they’re managing serious health conditions or living on fixed incomes, finding time for a sincere smile or a good laugh each day can work wonders for their overall health. Here are some of the reasons seniors should make room for more smiles and laughter in their lives.
Boost Physical Health
Smiling relaxes the entire body, which can lower blood pressure. People who laugh and smile often have lower levels of stress hormones and increased levels of immune cells. Smiles and laughter also trigger the release of pain-relieving endorphins, and they can even promote heart health by increasing blood vessel function and blood flow.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Enhance Mental & Emotional Health
The same endorphins that help seniors relieve pain also make them feel happy. When seniors laugh or smile, they naturally feel more optimistic and resilient, which gives them the strength to better manage stressful situations. A study by the British Dental Health Foundation found smiles naturally increase heart and brain activity in a way that’s similar to the effects of receiving money or chocolate. The study showed one smile had the same stimulating effect as eating 2,000 chocolate bars.
Increase Socialization
Laughter and smiles are highly contagious. People are naturally drawn to others who laugh or smile, which creates the opportunity for new friendships and strengthened bonds in existing relationships. Smiles and laughter also have the power to defuse conflict and tense situations.
For families living in Arlington, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
How to Create Opportunities for More Smiles
There are a number of easy and inexpensive ways for your loved one to incorporate more laughter and smiles into his or her daily life. For instance, your loved one can:
- Play games with the grandchildren
- Check out books from the library’s humor section
- Play with a pet
- Attend game nights at a local church or senior center
- Watch favorite comedy TV shows or movies
- Spend time with naturally funny and playful people
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Arlington families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call us today to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
