Episode 111: Laughter is the Best Medicine for... Aging Well.

Humor is a powerful tool that can help older adults navigate the challenges of aging, enhance their well-being, and continue to enjoy life to the fullest. It is an important aspect of overall health and happiness as we age. In this episode Dr. Armstrong and Corbin Bruton explore the ways in which humor and laughter contribute to a healthy and fulfilling aging process. In addition, the hosts provide practical tips and advice on how to incorporate humor and laughter into our daily routines to… age well.

For research on the health benefits of laughter see:

Bains, G. S., & Berk, L. S. (1996). The effects of humor on secretory immunoglobulin a levels in intensive care patients. Psychosomatic Medicine, 58(4), 312-318.

Bennett, M. P., & Lengacher, C. A. (2008). Humor and laughter may influence health: III. laughter and health outcomes. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(1), 37-40.

Berk, L. S., Felten, D. L., & Tan, S. A. (2001). Modulation of neuroimmune parameters during the eustress of humor-associated mirthful laughter. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(2), 62-72.

Dunbar, R. I. (2012). The social role of touch in humans and primates: Behavioural function and neurobiological mechanisms. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 34(2), 260-268.

Falkenberg, I., Buchkremer, G., Bartels, M., Wild, B. (2011). Implementation of humor therapy in psychiatric hospitals - an appropriate strategy for elderly patients? European Psychiatry, 26(4), 261.

Kim, S. H., Kim, H. J., Lee, S. K., & Kim, Y. J. (2017). Effect of laughter therapy on perceived stress and motivation of Korean college students. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(3), 556-558.

Martin, R. A. (2002). Is laughter the best medicine? Humor, laughter, and physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(6), 216-220.