National Let’s Laugh Day is observed annually on March 19. It’s an unofficial holiday that encourages people to embrace the power of laughter to improve overall well-being.
Grounded in the idea that laughter is the best medicine, the day highlights real health benefits:
- reduced cortisol (stress) levels
- a boosted immune system
- and lowered blood pressure.
It’s a reminder to take life less seriously by sharing jokes, watching comedies, or even trying laughter yoga to stimulate endorphins.
The origins of National Let’s Laugh Day are unknown — there’s no single credited founder or documented starting date. Still, its popularity has grown through social media and corporate participation. Laffy Taffy, for instance, sponsored a celebration in 2020 to promote what they called the uniting force of laughter.
Facts About Laughter
Science-backed reasons why a good laugh really is powerful medicine.
Lowers Stress Hormones
Laughter reduces levels of cortisol and epinephrine — the hormones tied to stress, anxiety, and depression — while flooding the body with feel-good endorphins.
Mayo ClinicGood for Your Heart
When you laugh, blood vessels dilate and blood flow increases. Research shows this can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cleveland ClinicBoosts Immunity
Positive thoughts triggered by laughter release neuropeptides that help fight stress and activate T-cells — specialised immune cells that defend against infection.
Mayo ClinicNatural Pain Relief
Researchers at the University of Oxford found that sustained laughter increases the body’s production of endorphins — natural chemicals that can raise your pain threshold.
University of OxfordSharpens Memory
Chronic cortisol damages the hippocampus, the brain’s memory centre. Stanford research found that laughter lowers cortisol, supporting a healthier hippocampus and better recall — especially in older adults.
Stanford Lifestyle MedicineBurns Real Calories
A Vanderbilt University study found that 10–15 minutes of genuine laughter can burn between 10 and 40 calories, depending on intensity. Not a gym replacement, but a nice bonus.
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterIt’s Genuinely Contagious
Mirror neurons in the brain fire when you see or hear someone laugh, making laughter spread automatically — which is exactly why sitcom laugh tracks work.
PMC / Annals of NeuroscienceExercises Your Body
A good laugh stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, enhances oxygen intake, and then triggers a relaxation response that soothes tension and eases muscle tightness.
Mayo ClinicAdults average roughly 15–17 laughs per day
One often-cited study by Martin & Kuiper (1999) estimated adults laugh about 17.5 times daily. The popular claim that children laugh 300–400 times a day is widely debunked — but most researchers agree kids do laugh more freely and with more abandon than grown-ups.
Humor: International Journal of Humor ResearchWays to Celebrate
National Let’s Laugh Day is all about sharing joy and creating laughter-filled moments. Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate:
- Watch a comedy show or movie: Pick a favorite comedy or discover a new stand-up special for guaranteed laughs.
- Share jokes or funny stories: Swap jokes with friends, tell a funny story, or revisit hilarious memories.
- Play a hilarious game: Games like charades or “try not to laugh” challenges can bring out giggles and friendly competition.
- Explore laughter yoga: This unique practice combines laughter exercises with deep breathing for a lighthearted wellness boost.
- Spread laughter on social media: Share a funny meme, video, or joke with hashtags like #NationalLetsLaughDay to spread the joy online.
