05 Apr Why Comedy Shows In Melbourne Aren’t Just For The Young!

Getting older is a certainty that most of us will face, and in comparison to the alterative it’s a pretty good one. Despite this, many of us are guilty of thinking that aging means we can’t or shouldn’t indulge in certain behaviours which could actually be beneficial for us – such as laughing. As someone who performs live comedy in venues all over Melbourne, I’ve come to realise that humour is something that all ages enjoy and something that can truly benefit us at every stage of life.

Karyn Buxman is a former hospice nurse and member of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. She has spent the past few years studying the impact that humour has on the brain as well as its effects on older or sick patients. She discovered that humour could stimulate dopamine in certain instances, decreasing muscle tension and anxiety in the person’s nervous system and reducing feeling of anger and sadness. Other studies have shown that laughter can help reduce stress, help us deal with chronic conditions and even recover from setbacks. These are all things most people will experience as they age.

So what’s the secret to staying merry as you get older? Firstly, you need to make sure that you are enjoying a good laugh regularly. Our sense of humour stays the same even as we age, but our ability to identify it does not. In a study by the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, researchers examined young and old adults. It was found that while both ages could understand humour, older adults sometimes struggled to ‘get’ more complex jokes.

By making sure you regularly attend live comedy events in Melbourne, and bring your old folks along with you, not only are you enjoying a night out with friends and family, but you’re also reaping the benefits of laughter as well. And by attending events as often as possible, you’re also keeping your ability to identify and comprehend humour sharp.

There are dozens of comedy gigs to choose from in Melbourne alone, so getting started could be as easy as booking your ticket online.