World Laughter Day!
Laughter is the best medicine. How about letting loose a little today? It's World Laughter Day!
Everyone knows that laughter feels good, but few realize how useful such simple things can be in improving our daily well-being. That's what World Laughter Day is all about! A day when people can relieve some stress and laugh.
History of World Laughter Day
World Laughter Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about laughter and its many therapeutic benefits. The tradition began in 1998 when Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian physician, founded the world's first laughter club—a group that meets regularly to laugh together—and invited others around the world to join. Today, there are many such clubs in Japan and over 6,000 worldwide, whose participants come together to practice "laughter yoga."
World Laughter Day is celebrated by many laughter club members, their families, and friends in their cities, in large squares, public parks, or auditoriums. Laughter clubs usually offer a varied entertainment program consisting of music, dance, and laughter contests. The winners are those with the most contagious, natural, and effortless laughter. Laughter club members also participate in peace marches on this day, carrying signs that read "World peace through laughter, the whole world is an extended family, join a laughter club - it's free ."
The health benefits of laughter
Is there a better feeling than a deep, genuine laugh? Not only does it help us connect with those we laugh with, but it also has many health benefits. Here are just a few...
- Provides an overall sense of well-being - One of the main benefits associated with laughter is that it generally makes you feel better! If you laugh a lot, you'll be a more positive person, which can impact your life in many different ways.
- Triggers endorphin release - Endorphins are your body's natural pain relievers. They are released when you laugh. This can help you feel good about your body while also alleviating chronic pain.
- T-cell boost - Laughter can also boost T cells. These are specialized cells in your immune system, just waiting to be activated. When you laugh, T cells come to life and can help you fight off illness. So, the next time you feel like you have a cold, why not add laughter to your prevention strategy?
- Improve Heart Health - Laughter is an exceptional cardio workout, especially for people who are unable to engage in other types of physical activity due to illness or injury. It gets your heart pumping and allows you to burn a similar amount of calories to what you would burn walking at a slow to moderate pace.
- Work your abs - One of the benefits associated with laughing is that it tones your abs. Your stomach muscles contract and expand when you laugh. This is similar to what happens when you intentionally work your abs.
- Reduce stress hormone levels - In addition, reducing your stress hormone levels is another benefit! This helps reduce the stress and anxiety that affects your body. Additionally, reducing stress hormones can lead to better immune system performance.
- Lower Blood Pressure - Finally, laughter can lower your blood pressure. This can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
How to celebrate World Laughter Day?
Want to have a good laugh and take part in World Laughter Day this Sunday? Head to a laughter club. They give you the chance to discover new comedians in advance and see what they have to offer in terms of comedy. If you want to become a comedian, learn from the best by participating in comedy shows and taking part in improv classes.
