World Laughter Day: Importance of laughter in maintaining good mental and physical health

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    world laughter day

    World Laughter Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of May. This year, it falls on May 7th, 2023. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about laughter and its many benefits. It promotes the importance of laughter in maintaining good mental and physical health

    Laughter has many benefits for both mental and physical health. It decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. It can activate and relieve your stress response. Bouts of laughter can boost the immune system, relax muscles, aid circulation, and protect against heart disease. It can abet mental health too; laughter can lower anxiety, release tension, improve mood, and foster resilience

    The theme for this year’s World Laughter Day celebration is “World Peace Through Laughter.” The aim is to promote laughter as a means of bringing people together and fostering a sense of unity and harmony across the world. Laughter has the power to break down barriers and promote understanding, which can ultimately lead to a more peaceful and compassionate world.

    world laughter day

    The day was first observed in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, who founded the Laughter Yoga movement. The aim was to spread awareness about the benefits of laughter and promote its healing power. Today, World Laughter Day is celebrated across the globe with various events and activities, including laughter yoga sessions, stand-up comedy shows, and community gatherings.

    As per Dr. Kataria’s official LinkedIn profile, he discovered that laughter had significant physical and mental benefits for people. He started the Laughter Yoga Clubs movement from a Mumbai public park in 1995 with just five students. Dr. Kataria combined laughter exercises with Yoga breathing techniques without the use of humor or jokes. Today, there are over 6000 Laughter Yoga clubs in more than 60 nations.

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