The Birches Embraces a New Summer Tradition: "Lemonade & Laughs"
On June 11, Birches residents joined together on The Birches’ front porch for the first ever “Lemonade & Laughs” gathering, where residents not only shared refreshing glasses of lemonade and good company but also their favorite jokes and riddles.
Clarendon Hills, IL, June 18, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Everyone knows that lemonade and summer go hand in hand, but what about lemonade and laughter? They do at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills thanks to a new program called “Lemonade & Laughs.”
On June 11, Birches residents joined together on The Birches’ front porch for the first ever “Lemonade & Laughs” gathering, where residents not only shared refreshing glasses of lemonade and good company but also their favorite jokes and riddles.
Each resident was encouraged to bring a joke, riddle or funny story to share in this new program inspired by the success of laughter therapy.
“Everyone enjoys laughing, because laughing makes you feel good,” said Birches Activities Director Katie Klitchman. “But there are actually documented benefits to laughing - it can even improve your physical and mental health.”
Klitchman is correct. Laughter therapy has grown in popularity in recent years, with a wide body of research suggesting that laughter may indeed be the best medicine. Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and VU Amsterdam, for example, found that pain tolerance went up by as much as 50 percent in people who had just watched a funny television show. Additionally, researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that people with heart disease responded less humorously to everyday life situations than people without heart disease.
Other widely noted benefits of laughter include a more effective immune system, a decrease in stress hormones, reduced anxiety and fear, and stronger social relationships. According to Klitchman, she created “Lemonade & Laughs” to infuse some of these benefits directly into the daily lives of The Birches community.
“I thought this program would be a great way to bring the benefits of laughter to The Birches in a fun and unique way,” said Klitchman. “Sometimes we just need a reminder of how much we enjoy laughing, being silly and having fun. It doesn’t matter how old you are— we all enjoy it!”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents’ physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
On June 11, Birches residents joined together on The Birches’ front porch for the first ever “Lemonade & Laughs” gathering, where residents not only shared refreshing glasses of lemonade and good company but also their favorite jokes and riddles.
Each resident was encouraged to bring a joke, riddle or funny story to share in this new program inspired by the success of laughter therapy.
“Everyone enjoys laughing, because laughing makes you feel good,” said Birches Activities Director Katie Klitchman. “But there are actually documented benefits to laughing - it can even improve your physical and mental health.”
Klitchman is correct. Laughter therapy has grown in popularity in recent years, with a wide body of research suggesting that laughter may indeed be the best medicine. Researchers from the Universities of Oxford and VU Amsterdam, for example, found that pain tolerance went up by as much as 50 percent in people who had just watched a funny television show. Additionally, researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that people with heart disease responded less humorously to everyday life situations than people without heart disease.
Other widely noted benefits of laughter include a more effective immune system, a decrease in stress hormones, reduced anxiety and fear, and stronger social relationships. According to Klitchman, she created “Lemonade & Laughs” to infuse some of these benefits directly into the daily lives of The Birches community.
“I thought this program would be a great way to bring the benefits of laughter to The Birches in a fun and unique way,” said Klitchman. “Sometimes we just need a reminder of how much we enjoy laughing, being silly and having fun. It doesn’t matter how old you are— we all enjoy it!”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents’ physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
Contact
The Birches Assisted Living
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
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