All you need to Know about National Let's Laugh Day

When you and your coworkers burst into laughter ending in tears and an aching stomach for 5 minutes or longer during a break, you burn around 10 calories per minute. Now, did you know that? I bet no.

So yes, laughing does not just fill you with joy emotionally; it even makes your body feel good. Infact, laughing is fun because life is funny.

Here's shouting out to all gigglers and belly laughers, for we have a day dedicated to laughter, and it is right around the corner- National Let's Laugh Day.

What is National Let's Laugh Day?

The person who came up with the concept of Let's Laugh Day might have forgotten to note this down somewhere, as the day's origins are yet to be discovered.

Well, however, we continue to celebrate this day without any worries. Also, the idea around Let's laugh Day is pretty simple. It is a day of celebrating the wonderful gift of laughter and fun. Originated in the US, National Let's Laugh Day is observed on March 19th to add some humor to our otherwise ordinary life. Even though it is an unofficial holiday, it serves as a good excuse to have some light-hearted chuckle.

A 24-hour joke festival honoring good vibes and laughter, Let's Laugh Day gives everyone a chance to unite into the force of laughter. So, use this occasion to wake up that inner child in you and have a great laugh with your loved ones.

Read: Incorporating World Laughter Day in the Workplace

Why is National Let's Laugh Day celebrated?

These days, normal life is all about stress and tension, and it would be unrealistic to even imagine otherwise. But it is quite saddening to see how laughter has become so scarce in today's world. We know we have hit extreme low spots when efforts have to be put to even feel a smile, let alone laugh. But those little feel-good moments we manage to catch within this hectic life make it all worth it.

Thus, we definitely need a day like Let's Laugh Day, which we can cherish and when we can laugh guilt-free. Also, what's the point of being serious all the time? Infact, laughter comes with an enormous bag of benefits.

Benefits of laughter

Aren't we all familiar with the saying "Laughter is the best medicine"? I am sure we all are. And Let's Laugh Day presents us with a day to take that medicine. It's a day to experience the pleasant effects of laughing. And a fake laugh is still a laugh, so even doing that will have a good impact on you.

Did you know that laughter possesses a lot of health benefits?

• Boosts the immune system
• Relieves tension and anxiety
• Lowers the stress hormone
• Increases endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones improving mood
• Relaxes muscles
• Stimulates heart and lungs

Laughing with people can improve your relationships with them, as laughter is contagious, and it connects one another emotionally. When we feel good, we tend to have a positive outlook towards life, which reduces the chances of depression and other mental health issues.

Even in workplaces, laughter can act as a factor of social interaction transcending the language barriers and prevent workplace depression. It further enhances teamwork resolving conflicts, making you a positive influence.

Thus, National Let's Laugh Day makes us practice healthy habits for a year of happiness, hilarity, and amusement.

Let's Laugh Day Facts

Having a good laugh is something we like pretty much all the time. What's life without some humor? To honor National Let's Laugh Day, we round up some of the weird and unknown facts about the action of laughter.

• The study of laughter and its effects is Gelotology.
• Laughing releases a hormone called HGC that helps in fighting germs.
• Laughing for 15 minutes without break burns 40 calories.
• Men laugh more often than women.
• Our facial and abdominal muscles get some exercise every time we laugh.
• Laughter after waking up has equal effects to a cup of coffee.
• People tend to laugh more in a group than being alone.
• It is difficult to catch your breath when you laugh because of the diaphragm spasms.
• The longest stand-up comedy show lasted for 40 hours and 8 minutes.

Celebrating Let's Laugh Day in the office

Laughter comes naturally to all humans and animals. Even ancient pictographs have images of people giggling with one another which reflects that laughter is a reflex instilled in us since birth.

Now, a good laugh can be over anything. From catching up with a friend and reliving old memories to watching a funny movie, laughter can be triggered easily. All you need is a good vibe.

It is essential to take some time out for yourself from the uphill struggles of work and life. Laughter benefits workplaces, too, as the more employees laugh and are in a good mood, there will be fewer burnout rates, higher learning probabilities, increased amount of collaboration, quicker recovery from stressful situations, and an increase in overall work efficiency.

Talking about work, as an employer, workplaces do not have to be dull and gloomy. Even offices can be happening if one has a positive bunch of people.

Like if you go to the office and see dreadful facial expressions of your colleagues, it will automatically put you off. Hence, the mood is already ruined. And starting your day with such an experience drives you off the track losing productivity. And offices need to be filled with cheerful people as office roles are mostly about interaction and reliance.

Thus, celebrating National Let's Laugh Day in the workplace can remove this problem and establish a friendly work environment.

• Start the day by sending funny images in emails and communications.
• Post comical workplace-centric or appropriate jokes and quotes on the bulletin board.
• Hold workshops by influential speakers to talk about National Let's Laugh Day and the benefits of laughter.
• Conduct a Laughter Yoga session for all your employees.
• Host a comedy competition among your workforce and see who can make everyone laugh the hardest.
• Take your employees out on a comedy movie night.
• Promote National Let's Laugh Day on your social media page through pranks, jokes and spread the word using #NationalLet'sLaughDay.
• Share the funny episodes of your life with them.

So, this laughter day, go out of your way and fill your workplace with hilarity. Cheer your employees up and spread positivity.

Who would not want this in their busy and hectic world?

However, there are certain DON'Ts, too, so be careful before cracking inappropriate jokes or discriminatory comments. Like putting pies in the face is hilarious for some, while it might be disgusting for others.

Wrap it

So let the laughter bubble up from time to time. Because when one laughs, others join too. Laughter is that contagious. So this Let's Laugh Day, fill your office with cheer and some belly-aching laughter. Not to mention how laughing does well to both your body and mind. And it is not just a mere saying because laughter really is the best medicine.