Cultivating a robust sense of humor is far more than a social asset; it is a vital strategy for healthy aging.
Dave Barry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and keynote speaker at NSSC’s 2019 Joan Golder Distinguished Senior Lecture Series, argues that humor is an essential coping mechanism as we age, serving as a necessary tool to navigate a world that is often scary, unpredictable, and devoid of reason. As he ages, Dave emphasizes that humor becomes even more important to manage the inevitable “bummer” of getting older. Based on Dave’s writings and reflections, the value of humor as we age includes:
- A Weapon Against Anxiety: Dave defines a sense of humor as a measure of how well we realize we are trapped in an irrational world. Laughter is, therefore, a way to express and manage the anxiety, fear, and frustration that comes with aging and life’s absurdities.
- A Necessary Coping Mechanism: Because humans are the only species that know the world ends in death, humor is a vital psychological tool developed to deal with this reality.
- Maintain Perspective: Humor allows us to not take ourselves too seriously, even when faced with serious situations.
In his book, Lessons from Lucy, Dave explains that to age gracefully, one must adopt the mentality of an old dog— specifically, to live in the present, forget past grievances, and make new friends. In essence, Dave advocates for finding the “funny” and the absurdities in the everyday annoyances rather than succumbing to anger or resignation.
Laughter Could Provide Health Benefits: Remember Norman Cousins?
Research has found that humor reduces cortisol and catecholamine levels—the hormones associated with stress while increasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. According to “Humor, Laughter, Learning and Health! A Brief Review” published in Advances in Physiology Education, spontaneous laughter is associated with greater reduction in cortisol levels compared to usual activities, supporting laughter’s role as a complementary strategy for well-being.
Norman Cousins was an American journalist and author who famously championed the use of humor as a serious tool for healing and pain management. After being diagnosed with a terminal disease in 1964, he developed a self-directed treatment plan that included large doses of laughter, which he believed helped reverse his condition. Cousins believed that emotions have direct physiological consequences on illness and aging—that negative emotions like fear, hopelessness, and rage could suppress immune function, while positive emotions could enhance it. He was not the first to suggest this, but he made a personal and compelling case.
Additional observations by Norman include:
Laughter as Medicine: He observed that “10 minutes of genuine belly laughter … allowed [him] two hours of pain-free sleep.” He famously described laughter as “internal jogging,” a form of exercise that boosts the body’s immune system, stimulates the heart, and provides a “whoosh” of relaxation.
• Active Pursuit of Comedy: He used comedy to manage his pain, watching Marx Brothers films and Candid Camera episodes, which he described in his seminal book, Anatomy of an Illness.
• Mind Body Connection: Norman believed that “belief becomes biology” and that positive emotions like humor can directly impact physical health by lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
• A Laughing in the face of Death: He famously chose to focus on joy and humor while living with a debilitating spinal condition.
• A Philosophy of Life: Beyond medicine, Norman believed that “the tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live.” He viewed a healthy sense of humor as essential for preventing this inner decay.
Norman published his experiences in the New England Journal of Medicine and later became a professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, teaching medical ethics and sharing his research on the healing power of laughter. His story sparked a wave of serious scientific research into the mind-body connection. UCLA named its Center
for Psychoneuroimmunology after him—a testament to outlasting his diagnosis by 26 years and laughing the whole way.
Tips on Finding Laughter Daily
Without much effort, we can find opportunities for incorporating laughter into our daily lives. These include watching comedy, socializing with friends, reading humorous books, playing games, and trying laughter yoga, which uses breathing and movement to stimulate laughter. Changing one’s perspective can go a long way. Look for absurdity in daily challenges and laugh at yourself. Set aside “laughter breaks” each day to watch a funny sitcom or video. Finding the “funny” in life is easier than you think and could be beneficial to your health!
NSSC’s Lifelong Learning offers you an abundance of opportunities to learn new things, enrich your life, and connect with people who share your interests. We invite you to join in our clubs, classes, presentations, trips, concerts and events.
Special thanks to guest author Alan Blitz.