World Laughter Day (WLD) is annually observed across the globe on the 1st Sunday of May to raise awareness about the significance of laughter, a universal language transcending barriers, and its various health benefits.
- The Day aims to promote world peace and global unity through laughter.
World Laughter Day 2024 falls on 5 May 2024.
- World Laughter Day 2023 was observed on 7 May 2023;
- World Laughter Day 2025 will be observed on 4 May 2025
The theme for World Laughter Day 2024 is “Laughter Unites Us All.”
Significance:
i.The celebration of WLD is intended to foster global brotherhood and friendship through laughter.
ii.WLD is celebrated worldwide, uniting laughter club members, families, and friends in joyous gatherings.
iii.The Laughter Clubs movement is a global initiative that aims for global wellness, regardless of religion or race.
About World Laughter Day:
i.World Laughter Day was created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.
ii.The event has gained immense popularity alongside the Laughter Yoga movement now counting over 6000 Laughter Clubs in more than 65 countries.
Inaugural Celebration:
i.In 1998, the 1st World Laughter Day gathering was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra (India).
ii.Over 12,000 members from local and international laughter clubs participated in a mega laughter session.
Global Expansion:
i.The WLD gathering event “HAPPY-DEMIC,” held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000 was the 1st international gathering with over 10,000 attendees at Town Hall Square.
ii.The event set a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever laughter session.
Benefits of Practicing Laughter Yoga:
i.Laughter Yoga triggers the release of ‘Feel Good’ hormones into the bloodstream.
ii.These hormones include happiness, warmth, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, collectively known as ‘Joy Cocktail’.
iii.The presence of this ‘Joy Cocktail’ of hormones and neuro-peptides prevents the production of negative hormones associated with hatred, fear, violence, jealousy, and aggression.
Few Health benefits of Laughter:
- Improves the immune system;
- Reduces stress;
- Improved cardiovascular health;
- Pain relief, etc.
