Belly Laugh Day

Belly Laugh Day is January 24th

Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. Well, it doesn’t take an M.D. to know that laughter feels terrific! It certainly doesn’t hurt that laughter indeed has wonderful effects on your person. Be on the right side of happy this winter season with a well rounded, full body guffaw-haw-haw.

History Belly Laugh Day

Created by Elaine Helle in June 2005, Global Belly Laugh Day is a celebration of the gift of laughter. The idea came to her while thinking about other holidays we celebrate. If we take the time to recognize love and gift-giving, why not take a day to honor laughter? Therein lies the genius of Belly Laugh Day. So now, on Jan. 24 at 1:24 pm local time, the world stops in its tracks to take in a deep breath and let rip a body-quacking howl! A certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Elaine hopes to put a smile on your face as you take a moment to forget the seriousness of the world and let yourself be silly for a brief moment.

More on Laughter

Health professionals have found that laughter has a fair amount of physical and psychological benefits. Laughter can provide stress and tension relief by stimulating circulation and providing muscle relaxation. Positive thoughts brought on by laughter can release neuropeptides (a protein-like molecule in the brain) that help combat stress. Other stress hormones laughter can help lower are endorphins, growth hormone, cortisol, and dopamine. Humor is also a terrific way to improve one’s perspective. Having a positive outlook can help a stressful situation appear less threatening. In general, laughter can help improve your mood with feelings of happiness. There’s a social benefice to laughter. It’s contagious, don’t you know? Sharing a laugh or a smile with someone may help lower their stress and improve their mood, as well as yours.

How To Celebrate Belly Laugh Day

Check out the Belly Laugh Day website for tips and info on celebrating more in-depth.

Have some laughs with friends, watch one of your favorite comedy’s, or go to a comedy club. Explore the many different avenues of laughter and good-natured humor. It’s a form of connection. A togetherness. Take part on Jan. 24 at 1:24 pm to laugh with the world in a rare moment of global solidarity. Like the man said: why so serious?