SRMT Office for the Aging and SRMT Title III Program host Dr. Brad Nieder for an Afternoon of Laughter

The Senior Center was the place to be Saturday afternoon thanks to Dr. Brad Nieder of Denver, Colorado, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Office of the Aging Caregiver’s Program. Dr. Nieder, a board certified general practitioner, now practices making people laugh for a living. He travels throughout the United States sharing his advice and humor on how laughter can make your life better socially, mentally, emotionally and even physically. Young and old had the joy of hearing his uplifting message combining healthcare humor with wellness advice. Dr. Nieder told us how laughter can take 8 years off your age and add 8 years to your life, and how a 6-year-old child can laugh as often as 600 hundred times a day, but as an adult it drops to10 times a day!

During this often-stressful time of year, laughter truly can be the best medicine. Throughout his entirely humorous show he told us how laughter can relax the whole body, and a good hearty laugh relieves the physical tension of stress. Laughter can also boost the immune system; it actually decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection fighting antibodies improving resistance to disease. And that kind of medicine is perfect for fighting this cold and flu season.

Laughter also triggers the release of “endorphins,” the body’s natural feel-good chemical that promotes an overall sense of well being and can temporarily relieve pain. Studies have shown how laughter can actually decrease the need for painkillers for seriously ill patients.

Laughter can be great heart protection, it improves the function of blood vessels and improves blood flow, helping to protect against heart disease and cardiovascular problems.

No wonder we can’t help but feel good when we laugh – physically laughter relaxes your muscles and prevents heart disease. Mentally, laughter can add joy and zest to your life, eases anxiety and fear and improves your mood. Laughter also enhances resilience, something we can all use to get over rough spots in our every day lives.

Keep in mind, while laughing you cannot feel anxious, angry or sad. That being said you should try to make more opportunities to laugh; watch a funny movie or TV show, go to comedy shows, read the funny pages and actually seek out funny people. Don’t be shy and go ahead and share a joke or funny story, you can go to the library or bookstore to find books in the humor section or host a game night with your friends and/or family. Make time for fun activities such a bowling, miniature golf, or karaoke. And try this, your kids will love it – play with them. And don’t forget your pets, playing with your pets is also known to relieve stress, they love you unconditionally and they will always laugh at your jokes.