Visit the Elderly or Ill.
Regardless of family, friend, neighbor, stranger, home, hospital, assisted living, or nursing home.
Most everyone enjoys a nice friendly visit and that is never truer than when physical or mental health conditions and/or age limits the amount of interpersonal interactions someone can share.
It can be long days and can feel boring, lonely, scary, or even overwhelming. Take the extra step to visit with someone you normally would not check in with.
If you do not have someone that comes to mind, you may be able to reach out to your church or a local long term care facility to see if they know who may welcome a visit or phone call from you.
May we also suggest that you bring a small token to remind them of the visit, so that they can remember and enjoy the visit long after you have returned home. You can pick up something at the dollar store such as a helium ballon, suncatcher, puzzle, word book, fan, or a small craft project to do together.
Cards are good ideas and we strongly encourage the homemade kind for a more personal feel.
You may want to check with the individual and the facility for any current restrictions and scheduling challenges before you head out for your visit.
How all participants benefit.
As per the Mayo Clinic.
Stress relief from laughter
A good laugh has great short-term effects.
When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body.
Laughter can: Stimulate many organs.
Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
Activate and relieve your stress response.
Soothe tension.
Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
Long-term effects
Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. Increase personal satisfaction.
Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456