Friday, December 30, 2011

Helping Our Loved Ones Experience Happiness

Happiness can be the feeling of spiritual contentment that will carry you through the triumphs and heartaches of life with calm stability, serenity and peace of mind. In some cases, happiness affects our attitudes. However, we all have things happen throughout our lives but we have the power to make our own response to those situations. Happiness is a potential positive decision.

According to Douglas Smith, America's leading hospice expert and Director of Kanawha Hospice in Charleston, West Virginia, young children laugh 400 times a day while adults barely pour out 15 chuckles! What an unfortunate contrast. Most often our loved one would prefer a smile and upbeat attitude when we are with them to a negative depostition. Smiles are contagious. Even if your loved one is not responsive to them, keep smiling. You never know when she will finally respond. We may not think they appreciate what we are doing for them because they are not able to communicate. But if they could they would tell how they feel and that they love a cheerful face.

Bring humor into your conversations with your loved one. Think about something funny that might have happen. Our loved ones also enjoy talking about their past. Ask them about fun experiences from their lives. You can also bring up humorous incidences when you were growing up. As long as your loved one is able to talk, get her actively involved in the conversation.

My mother delights in telling others about the many funny experiences at our cottage. Those years were the happiest ones of her life, and when she talks about that time she beams. She enjoys talking about our one cousin who always managed to get himself into mischief. Then she observes as her company joins in her laughter. She will tell me she does not mind being alone but as soon as we have a guest in her home, she is filled with a special glow and shares in lively conversation.

Laughter relaxes the whole body and relieves physical tension. It triggers the release of endorphins, the bodies feel good chemical - great medicine for both you and your loved one.

Laughter is strong medicine for the mind and body, and good for a person's health.