‘Always laugh when you can. It is a cheap medicine.’ – Lord Byron. Laughter is the best medicine and we all have heard it. It might not be able to solve a difficult situation but laughing over a matter will surely bring some relief and will dissolve the stress. If you are among people who do not laugh often, then today is your day. First Sunday in the month of May is celebrated as the World Laughter Day. This year the World Laughter Day is being celebrated on May 6, 2018. The first Laughter Day was celebrated on May 10, 1998 in Mumbai. The man behind this revolutionary idea was Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the world Laughter Yoga Movement in 1995. Below we will discuss more about World Laughter Day and health benefits associated with a good and hearty laughter.
History
While forming the Laughter Yoga movement, Dr. Kataria worked on the facial feedback hypothesis, according to which, one’s facial expressions have a deep impact and effect on one’s emotions and feelings. He carried forward the same ideology while initiating the Laughter Day. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Since then, Laughter Day has made its way into the heart of the rest of the world. The first Laughter Day celebrated outside India was in the year 2000 and was called the ‘Happy-demic’, where more than 10,000 people gathered outside Town Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the largest ever gathering that laughed and bonded together and the event went into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Celebrations
The main purpose of celebrating this day is to promote international laughter and to create awareness about its healing benefits through Laughter Clubs. Dr. Kataria once said, “When you laugh, you change and when you change the whole world changes around you.” Laughter Yoga showed an exponential growth and became popular worldwide. It has resulted into 6,000 laughter clubs worldwide in 105 countries. People from different walks of life celebrate World Laughter Day with great enthusiasm crossing all social, professional and personal barriers.
Different laughter clubs organise special programmes on this day, which includes mass laughter session, peace rallies, blood donation camps, free BP and diabetic tests, etc. Members of the laughter clubs across the world gather a public place along with friends and family members. Messages by Dr. Kataria are also read and dance and laughter programmes are also held.
Benefits of Laughter Yoga
- Laughter Yoga is a powerful cardio workout and just 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equal to 30 minutes of the rowing machine.
- It increases blood circulation, reduces blood pressure, antidote for depression and reduces stress.
- Laughter Yoga can change a person’s mood because it releases certain chemicals from your brain called endorphins.
- Laughter boosts up the production of anti-body producing cells in our body, making the T-cells more powerful and creating a stronger immune system.
- Laughing exercises are good for facial muscles. It is said that if you laugh a lot, when you get older your wrinkles will be in the right place.
A good and hearty laughter is all we need when we face challenges. Laughter helps in giving a more positive outlook towards difficult situations. To celebrate World Laughter Day, you can catch up with your friends and discuss all the funny memories you’ll have shared together or watch a funny movie with your family. Use this day to the fullest and starting from today, make it a habit of smiling more and spreading happiness around you. Happy World Laughter Day!
Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.
The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
