Watch your favourite comedy, read a funny book, or gather some friends to tell jokes and get your diaphragm working to celebrate the upcoming World Laughter Day…
world laughter day
Shrill or funny, giggly or bubbly, on this day, let out your laughter and laugh to your heart’s content. World Laughter Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of May, and this year it will be celebrated on May 7. As Shakespeare said, “With mirth and laughter, let old wrinkles come.” The theme of World Laughter Day revolves around foregrounding the benefits of laughter. This day has also been explained as a manifestation of world peace because laughter often brings people together. Every year, many countries in the world celebrate World Laughter Day to make people aware of the benefits of laughter. No specific theme is announced on World Laughter Day. However, the celebrations are planned around promoting well-being and good health through laughter.
Did you know that laughter decreases stress? By laughing, the brain releases endorphins which makes one feel happy. So do not let anyone dampen your day, and laugh as much as you want. Grab some friends, crack some jokes, and have a good laugh together!
The history of laughter is very intriguing. Origins of laughter can be traced back 10 million years ago. Laughter is linked to high pain tolerance and even social status, but the primary function of laughter appears to be to create profound social bonds. Every year on the first Sunday in May, World Laughter Day is observed to promote awareness about laughter and its numerous health benefits. On the first Sunday in May, more than 70 nations throughout the world commemorate World Laughter Day. The inaugural World Laughter Day was held in Mumbai, India, on May 10, 1998. Dr Madan Kataria, the creator of the international Laughter Yoga movement, organised the event. Dr Kataria is a family physician who was motivated to establish the Laughter Yoga movement by the facial feedback theory, which claims that a person’s face expressions may influence their thoughts. It is now an annual event celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits, as well as about thousands of community groups around the world who regularly practice comedy that promote wellness and overall well-being. Hundreds of people gather worldwide on that day to laugh together. Since then, it has spread all over the world as a way to express people’s love for comedy and laughter.
World Laughter Day is also celebrated by a congregation of laughter club members, their families and friends in their city like big squares, public parks or auditoriums. Laughter clubs usually have a variety entertainment programme of music, dance and laughter contests. Winners are those with the most infectious, natural and effortless laughter. Laughter club members during this day participate in a peace march and carry banners and placards. During the march, all chant various slogans, clapping and dancing is a part of these marches. This is known to be one of the best ways that laughter clubs help you have a good time.
Celebrate it in different ways
Try laughter yoga: Laughing yoga is a popular movement and breathing exercise that aims to cultivate joy, bring out your inner child, and help you let go of daily life stressors. Join a laughter yoga club and practice this art of laughing together. Laughing is more fun when it is shared.
Go out and watch a stand-up show: Make sure not to miss the opportunity to watch a stand-up show. Contagious laughter blows up in the crowd when you laugh with everyone.
Watch funny videos: There is no shortage of funny videos on the internet. So, get online and laugh till you can’t anymore.
* Laughter came before language - Scientists believe that humans laughed before they could speak.
* Animals laugh too - Rats and Chimpanzees are known to laugh.
* The brain can’t help but laugh - Whenever we hear someone laugh, our premotor cortical region of the brain is triggered, which activates laughter in us too.
* Laughter burns calories - 10 to 15 minutes of laughter can burn up to 40 calories, according to a study.
* The longest stand-up show was 80 hours - On April 15, 2015, Nashville recorded 80 hours worth of stand-up shows with multiple comedians.
* It cracks us up. Life is better with a bit of humour. Laughter keeps us sane and happy, and this is the day to celebrate the gift of laughter.
* It creates a bond. Laughter is known to create social bonds. Laughing with people connects us to them.
* It is a day for happiness. We spend our lives stressing over things. But we have this one to celebrate happiness in our lives.
