GLOBAL BELLY LAUGH DAY
On January 24th, Global Belly Laugh Day celebrates the wonderful gift of laughter. It’s also a day to experience the positive effects of smiling and laughing.
Have you ever laughed loudly without restraint? If so, you had what’s called a belly laugh. This type of laugh comes from deep within. The term “belly laugh” was coined in the 1920s. It refers to a moving belly while laughing loudly.
- Other ways to describe a belly laugh include:
- A loud laugh that can’t be controlled.
- A sudden burst of laughter.
- A laugh that is loud and hearty.
- A heavy laugh.
People often find that a good belly laugh makes them feel good. Why is this? One reason is that laughter stimulates the organs. A belly laugh doesn’t just stimulate the stomach, though. This kind of laughter also stimulates the heart and lungs.
Laughter even increases endorphins, which are the body’s “feel-good hormones.” A good belly laugh also increases circulation and relaxes the muscles. So the next time you’re feeling blue, it really will help to watch a funny movie or listen to a comedian.
Laughing with others is equally beneficial as it can improve relationships. If you are with a group of people, you will find that laughter is contagious. When one laughs, others can’t help but join in and laugh, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE #GlobalBellyLaughDay
The symbol for this day is a smiling sun with 7 rays and dimples with the numbers 1 and 24. This represents the idea that laughter and sunshine can transform our moments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because of this symbol, people on all seven continents are encouraged to laugh at 1:24 p.m. local time on January 24th. To participate:
- Watch a funny movie or video.
- Go to a comedy club or listen to a comedian.
- Get together with others and take turns telling funny jokes.
- Have a competition to see who has the best belly laugh.
Share this funny day on social media with #GlobalBellyLaughDay.
“As soap is to the body, so laughter is for the soul.” Jewish Proverb
GLOBAL BELLY LAUGH DAY HISTORY
Elaine Helle created Global Belly Laugh Day in 2005. Elaine is a certified laughter yoga teacher. She believes that the gift of laughter is something worth celebrating.