There are going to be numerous times in your life when you experience ups and downs. Life has often been compared to a roller coaster ride. That anticipation of climbing the roller coaster, not sure exactly what the drop is going to feel like, that first turn at high speed, and the exhilaration you\u2019re anticipating.<\/p>\n
Life helps to lift us up at times and then there are going to be moments when we feel depressed, powerless, or frustrated. That same roller coaster ride may occur if you were a caregiver to your aging father. But what happens when your work as your father\u2019s caregiver comes to an end? Maybe he recovered and no longer needs assistance on a regular basis. Perhaps his journey in this life ended and so did the care he needed. Or maybe you realized the benefits of hiring professional in-home care providers.<\/p>\n
Many people, when they are no longer taking care of an elderly family member, can become depressed and anxious. They may feel as though smiling or even laughing would be doing a disservice to the memory of their loved one.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t fall into this common trap. April is National Humor Month and there are many benefits to smiling and laughing throughout life. Just because you may feel loss from no longer having to care for your elderly family member doesn\u2019t mean you have to carry that feeling around with you on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
Think about great memories.<\/em><\/p>\n One of the best things anyone can do when they suffer from some type of loss of a family member is to look back on their time together, think about the wonderful memories that were created and forged together, and find a way to laugh once again.<\/p>\n Some people say that laughter is the best medicine, and they would be right. Even a short laugh can help to release certain chemicals in the brain that help a person to emotionally feel better. The more people laugh, the more those endorphins and other chemicals get released, increasing the feel good feelings that they have.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t feel guilty about smiling and laughing just because your work as your dad\u2019s caregiver is over. Even if he\u2019s been moved to a nursing home because his condition has deteriorated, he is no longer in this life, or any other aspect changed, learn to laugh, smile, and feel good about the experiences you shared with him. It\u2019s the wonderful, heartwarming, and humorous memories that we leave behind that show true testament to the life a person lived.<\/p>\n