Ways To Celebrate International Moment Of Laughter Day

International Moment of Laughter Day is celebrated each year on April 14th. This day can remind people of the power of laughter and the benefits of taking a moment out of our busy lives to focus on humor and joy; it reminds us that taking care of our mental and physical health is the healthiest thing you can do for your brain. Laughter is often associated with a number of physical and mental health benefits, and social connection and strong interpersonal relationships can be excellent sources of daily laughter. Working with a licensed therapist to address any mental health concerns you may be experiencing can also be an effective way to increase your overall happiness and embrace laughter more frequently.

Positive health impacts of laughter and joy

International Moment of Laughter Day, celebrated on April 14th, encourages people worldwide to spread a laugh and embrace the joyous benefits of humor and laughter.

Potential mental health benefits of laughter

Learn about some of the possible benefits laughter can have on your mental health.

• Raises self-confidence

• Relieves and reduces stress

• Improves mood, as it can release both serotonin and dopamine, two of the “feel-good” hormones

• May have positive cognitive impacts, as studies have found that people who laugh more generally score higher on mental aptitude tests

• Restores a sense of balance

• Lowers your risk of developing depression

• Alleviates anxiety

• Shifts perspective and encourages less rigid thought processes

• Boosts curiosity

• Makes it easier to navigate disappointment, loss, and grief

• Decreases overwhelm

• Enhances productivity

• Instills optimism and a sense of hope

• Offers grounding effects

• Increases focus and attention

• Assists in processing anger and other complicated or negative emotions

• Boosts resilience

• Builds courage

• Adds meaning to life

• Encourages spontaneity

• Reduces doubt

• Improves self-esteem

• Increases overall well-being

Potential physical health benefits of laughter

The following physical advantages may be provided by regular laughter.

• Improves immune system functioning

• Decreases risk of stroke

• Suppresses the production of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol

• Lowers blood pressure, boosts blood flow and circulation, and improves cardiovascular connectivity, all of which can contribute to better heart health and a lower risk of heart disease and heart attacks

• Decreases rates of insomnia and improves overall sleep quality

• Acts as a painkiller – studies have demonstrated that people who have recently laughed may have a higher pain tolerance than people who have not

• Stimulates various organs in the body, meaning it can be a form of an “internal workout”

• Increases air intake and oxygen concentration in the bloodstream

• Contributes to healthy longevity

• Relieves discomfort

• Promotes relaxation – one good laugh can leave your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes! 

• Increases energy levels

• Rebalances nervous system

Potential social health benefits of laughter

Below, read about some of the social benefits that can come with laughter.

• Positively impacts those around you – not just those with whom you are laughing, but also people you are not intentionally interacting with who can hear your laughter

• Can lead to feeling more in tune with both your own emotions and the emotions of other people 

• Fosters a sense of connection with other people, which can be a defensive factor against a variety of mental health conditions

• Builds community, which can lead to improved teamwork (i.e., when an employee perceives themselves as being part of a community, they may be more likely to work harder toward a common goal)

• Lowers inhibitions

• Promotes forgiveness

• Deactivates fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response

• Strengthens individual relationships

• Allows people to feel more comfortable expressing their true feelings

• Soothes tension in social interactions

• Makes it easier to make new friends

• Defuses conflict

• Heals resentment

• Fosters emotional connection

• Acts as a buffer against disagreement

• Decreases defensiveness

If you doubt that laughter is the best medicine, take note of the fact that laughter may improve the outcomes of those living with cancer. Studies have indicated that cancer patients who laugh more easily and have a strong sense of humor may live longer and have better physical and psychological health outcomes than those who do not. 

Ways to celebrate International Moment of Laughter Day and spread laughter every day

You don’t need to hire a professional humor consultant to celebrate International Moment of Laughter Day. There may be several simple ways to integrate more laughter into your life. 

Laughter yoga

Laughter yoga can be defined as a form of yoga that mixes traditional yoga breathing techniques with intentional laughter exercises. The concept of laughter yoga was popularized in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, a family doctor in India.

The premise of laughter yoga is generally based on the facial feedback hypothesis. This hypothesis, which has been validated by a number of scientific studies, argues that facial expressions can have a direct impact on one’s mood. For example, moving your mouth muscles into a smile can make you feel better, even if there is nothing specific you want to smile about. 

Although the laughter in laughter yoga is not necessarily organic, simulated laughter may have just as many benefits as genuine and spontaneous laughter. Yoga can provide many positive health impacts as well. Laughter yoga tends to work most effectively when it is conducted in group settings, which can have the added benefit of fostering social connection. Plus, simulated laughter in groups often turns into natural, genuine laughter. 

Spending time with other people

Much of the laughter that people tend to experience in their day-to-day lives is not the result of hearing jokes or intentionally engaging in “funny” activities like going to comedy shows. Laughter typically happens organically when spending time with other people you love. International Moment of Laughter Day can be a good excuse to initiate a social gathering with people who make you smile and laugh. 

If you want to prioritize laughter in your life, it can be a good idea to intentionally seek out fun, playful, and curious people. All your relationships may hold the potential for more laughter, as anyone you connect with on a meaningful level will likely know how to make you laugh. 

Spend time with these people doing fun activities like seeing a comedy show or watching a comedy movie. Everyone finds laughter in their own way, so be sure to explore what works for you and your friends.

Take life less seriously

Western society can place a high value on productivity and external perception, which can lead to overwork and perfectionism. Putting a lot of pressure on yourself may lead to high levels of worry and stress, and this may affect your ability to relax, even during time you have specifically set aside for that purpose. 

Developing a sense of perspective and intentionally shifting your mindset to take your day-to-day life less seriously can help you start to see the more humorous side of things. The next time you encounter a stressful situation, consider whether there could be a way to recognize the ridiculous or absurd aspects. Not only can this make you more likely to laugh, but it can also help you problem-solve! 

Increasing laughter and joy in your life

International Moment of Laughter Day can be a helpful way of reminding the whole world about the benefits of taking a break from our anxious lives. However, it can be crucial to make sure you don’t take International Moment of Laughter Day too seriously, either. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate the day, and no specific International Moment of Laughter Day timeline to follow. 

Sometimes, even after intentionally making a commitment to incorporate more laughter into your life, you may still have a difficult time finding moments of joy and levity. Mental health conditions and life stressors can make prioritizing laughter more complicated. In these situations, speaking to a mental health professional can be helpful. 

Benefits of online therapy

If you are already going through a stressful time in your life, the thought of adding yet another appointment to your calendar can seem overwhelming. In this instance, online therapy may be a beneficial option. With online therapy, you can meet with a licensed therapist from the comfort and convenience of your own home. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research has demonstrated that there may be no difference in effectiveness between online therapy and therapy received in traditional in-person settings. One recent study found that completing a course of online therapy could be beneficial in addressing a number of mental health conditions and receiving emotional support. If you are hoping to shift your mindset to accommodate more joy and laughter, online therapy could be a helpful resource for you.