NATIONAL LET’S LAUGH DAY
Each year, National Let’s Laugh Day on March 19th reminds us to add a little humor to our day. It’s never good to be serious all the time and letting the laughter bubble up from time to time is good for all of us!
#LetsLaughDay
We have all heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” This is the day to take your medicine.
Some studies have shown that laughter may boost your immune system, relieve tension and help you relax. Who does not need any of those things in our busy and hectic world?
Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. ~ Elsa Maxwell
We don’t laugh because we’re happy — we’re happy because we laugh. ~ William James
As we all know, laughter can also be contagious. Even faking it seems to have some benefits. Classes called “laughter yoga” engage the abdominal muscles, lungs, arms, and facial muscles while using humor to get us laughing to cure what ails us.
When you and a friend have those long bouts of uncontrolled laughter that end in tears and aching stomach muscles that last a good 10 minutes or longer, you burn between 10-40 calories per 10 minutes. So, keep giving each other those don’t-look-at-me-or-I’ll-start-laughing-again looks and you’ll keep right on burning more laugh-healthy calories and you’ll enjoy a good memory, too!
HOW TO OBSERVE LET’S LAUGH DAY
- Add a laughing baby ringtone to your phone.
- Use humor to make someone’s day.
- Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for more fun ways to celebrate the day, too!
- Take some time to laugh and use #LetsLaughDay to post on social media.
- Try laughter yoga to get you started.
NATIONAL LET’S LAUGH DAY HISTORY
The origins of this funny holiday have slipped by us. However, we continue to find humor in everyday events and continue to #CelebrateEveryDay, too!
Laughter FAQ
Q. What kinds of laughs are there?
A. Different people have different laughs and different situations make us laugh differently. We describe our laughs with a wide array of colorful terms and phrases. Some of them include:
- Giggle – This laugh is often caused by nervousness.
- Guffaw – When something is especially funny but perhaps catches us off guard. It’s a loud, almost explosive laugh.
- Cackle – This laugh is similar to the clucking of chicken, but it is often associated with how a wicked witch might laugh.
- Belly laugh – Laughter that reached into our belly and shakes our whole body is a belly laugh.
- Chuckle – This laugh takes place in the throat and doesn’t go much further.
Q. Is laughter contagious?
A. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience by researchers at University College London suggests that laughter is truly contagious. Dr. Sophie Scott said, “We’ve known for some time now that when we are talking to someone, we often mirror their behavior, copying the words they use and mimicking their gestures. Now we’ve shown that the same appears to apply to laughter too —at least at the brain level.”