The Magic of Being Silly

You know how you feel after a great laugh? Bring some playfulness and giggles to your community by giving yourself permission to be a bit silly!

Benefits of Laughter

When you laugh, you are doing more good for your body and brain than you may realize. Research has demonstrated laughter results in multiple physical and emotional benefits, available to anyone who makes time to laugh. A few of these benefits, as per The Mayo Clinic’s reporting, include:

• Decreased stress
• Increased immune system response
• Increase endorphin release (your “feel good” hormone)
• Pain relief
• Decreased tension
• Stimulated heart, liver, and other organs

A good laugh could make you feel great - emotionally and physically! The good news is that you can spread these benefits to your residents every time you make them chuckle.

How to be Playful and Professional

Residents in senior living communities often have complex medical conditions that can be challenging and scary. They live with loss and face daily challenges that can make them anxious and depressed. 

However, your unique relationship with residents can give you a better chance of getting a smile or laugh during your interactions. Even though you are under stress and pressure yourself at work, a little playfulness can go a long way to giving your residents (and yourself!) a bit of an emotional break.

Your role in your community is a professional one, certainly. Your responsibilities are important and your contributions to the quality of life for every resident is serious. However, you can walk the line between professional and playful in order to spread some cheer.

Maintain your professionalism while:

• Participating in care plan or family meetings
• Speaking during a group during a solemn or serious occasion
• Leading Resident Council meetings

Consider being a bit more playful while:

• Interacting with residents in the hall or before a program
• Mingling in the dining room during resident meal times
• Leading some small or large group activities

You know your residents best, and you know your supervisor’s expectations. Consider where you can add some silliness without sacrificing your professional integrity. Remember the golden rule as well: never laugh at someone else’s expense.

12 Ways to Get Silly

Intentionally bring laughter into your community by trying a few new programs or interactions each month. See what works best for you, your team, and your residents and build your laughter program from there.

• Start morning exercise with a joke (make it an appropriate one!)
• Develop “secret handshakes” with residents; see how many you can remember and do them in the halls when you see them
• Host a Laughter Yoga class with a local instructor
• Have a bin of silly hats or props in your office; pop one on randomly before you head down the hall to say your good morning greetings
• Gain attention by blowing into a kazoo or honking a bicycle horn before an activity
• Wear a t-shirt or sweater with a witty expression on it
• Listen to comedy radio shows with residents
• Have a Comedy Movie Night monthly to watch a funny movie together
• Host a joke contest between staff members - call it “Open Mic Night” and have the residents vote on the winning joke
• Learn a silly dance with your activity staff and perform it as a surprise during your next big event
• Speaking of dancing, drop everything and have an impromptu dance party at the nursing station when everyone is feeling cranky; one upbeat song will take everyone by surprise and invigorate the staff while making residents giggle
• Tell residents about the funny thing that happened on your way to work; personal stories build relationships and cultivate laughter

How do you add playfulness to your community, or make your residents laugh?

Let’s share ideas so we can spread the benefits of laughter!

Related:
The Importance of Laughter in Long Term Care
Laughing Together - Five Activities To Get Residents Smiling