On the International Day of Laughter we pay attention to laughter. Here you can read why this is so important and what things you can do to share happiness.
What is the International Day of Laughter?
The day was invented by Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of the global Laughter-Yoga movement. He wanted everyone to be encouraged to have as much fun as possible. Every first Sunday of May, this year on our Liberation Day, the day is celebrated in more than 65 countries.
Why is laughter important?
A good laugh is not only fun, it also creates wonderful memories and has many health benefits. A smile contributes to a healthier life, both physically and mentally. And not only for yourself, but also everyone around you.
All benefits at a glance
Having fun has a positive effect on the lives of yourself and others. Below you will find a few benefits to consider:
- Feel-good hormones: Laughter reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in your body and produces more of the feel-good hormone endorphins. You (temporarily) forget the stressors in your life, which helps reduce tension, anxiety and depression. You can also improve your mood with it.
- Creativity and productivity: Having fun can help you set aside limiting thoughts for a while, giving your creative side much more room to emerge. It also creates a more relaxed atmosphere, which allows you to not only develop more creatively, but also more productively. After all, if nothing gets in the way in your thoughts, you can focus better on what you are doing and you can motivate yourself more quickly.
- Togetherness: Having fun together is more fun than alone. Not only that, but you also make fun memories together, improve social ties, have (mutual) understanding sooner and provide a sense of solidarity. Whether it’s your mother, friend or a stranger: give them a compliment or share a nice story!
- Calmness: Laughter makes you breathe deeper, which increases oxygen supply to the brain and muscles. You will then feel more energetic and motivated. You also calm your nervous system by reducing your shallow breathing and rapid heart rate.
How can you laugh more?
We have come up with several suggestions to make you smile more today, try this out:
- Laughter Meditation: This is a form of meditation where you deliberately try to laugh out of nowhere. There is no reason and you can feel as bad as you want, but by ‘creating’ pleasure you get the feeling that you are actually happy. And the sounds you will make are also very contagious.
- Humor: share that lame joke with your friends, family or colleagues, and challenge them to tell their lamest joke too.
- Compliments: Everyone is happy when someone notices them, because being seen is perhaps the nicest thing there is. So pay extra attention today: is anyone wearing nice jewelry, or does that color shirt match their eyes perfectly? Don’t be ashamed to share these positive comments, because you don’t lose anything by doing so.
- Funny videos: Watch funny videos you find on Instagram and TikTok, then share them with anyone you think would like them too.
