Five Benefits of Laughter Yoga for Seniors

1. Adds More Laughter to Life

Laughter Yoga is ideally suited to helping seniors live a more joyful life. It does not rely upon a sense of humor or cognitive function; therefore, anyone can laugh heartily. It also helps people understand that they do not need a reason to laugh. As we grow older, we laugh less and less, mainly due to ageing diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Seniors very often cannot comprehend jokes or find anything funny.  Therefore, Laughter Yoga is ideally suited for them as laughter in the form of an exercise provides multiple health benefits.

2. Promotes Physical Health

As we grow older, most seniors have many ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and other diseases of aging.  Laughter Yoga helps in healing by strengthening the immune system, increasing oxygen to the body cells and bringing a positive mental state.

3. Supports Good Mental Health

Many seniors suffer from anxiety, depression, frustration and anger. As they lose loved ones and their health, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a positive mental attitude. Laughter Yoga changes a person’s biochemistry in a way that supports good mental health regardless of their circumstances.

4. Increased Social Connection

Laughter Yoga allows for strong social bonding with friends, relatives, fellow residents at care facilities, as well as care givers and medical personnel. Even persons with dementia can forge meaningful connections with Laughter Yoga. This development of friendship decreases loneliness and increases quality of life.

5. Laughter Yoga Adds to Longevity

Laughter Yoga gives the Elders a reason and purpose to living fully every day. This simple and easy to do exercise routine is being practiced even by people in their 70s, 80s & 90s. As the population becomes increasingly older every day, Laughter Yoga is a tool for transformational aging & increased longevity because we are happy.

We do not laugh because we are happy…We are happy because we laugh!