"Laughter is the best medicine" isn't just a saying.
Experts say laughter can lead to better physical and mental health in our golden years.
Laughter releases endorphins, also known as "happy hormones".
Licensed Clinical Psycholotist, Dr. Dan Palleson says, "Endorphins are a chemical naturally produced by our brain that help us feel really, really good."
He recommends seniors seek out that silliness several times a week.
Laughter can also benefit memory health.
Dr. Palleson says, "Laughter can improve memory. When we're under a lot of stress, cortisol is released, and cortisol in our brain eats away at the ability to form and retail memories. He says that endorphins released from laughing reduce cortisol levels.
Laughing can also lower blood pressure.
So, that old adage "the more the merrier" applies to laughter. Dr. Palleson recommends grabbing friends of loved ones when you can, and just set out to do something that will get (and keep) you laughing.
