Life is heavy. Between the 24-hour news cycle and the relentless pinging of Slack notifications, we’re all basically wound tighter than a guitar string. That is why National Let’s Laugh Day on March 19 actually matters. It isn’t just some "hallmark holiday" dreamed up by a greeting card company to sell glossy paper. It’s a necessary, annual reminder that if we don't find a way to chuckle at the absurdity of it all, we’re going to burn out.
Honestly, the world feels a bit like a pressure cooker lately.
March 19th hits right as the winter blues are supposed to be fading, but let’s be real—sometimes March is just gray and slushy. This day gives you a pass. It’s an invitation to be the person who laughs a little too loud in the breakroom or shares that incredibly specific, slightly niche meme that only three people will understand. We need it.
The Science of a Real Belly Laugh
It’s easy to dismiss National Let's Laugh Day as fluff. But the biology of it is kind of wild. When you really get going—the kind of laugh where your stomach hurts and you’re worried you might actually stop breathing—your body is basically doing a hard reset.
Experts like Dr. Lee Berk at Loma Linda University have spent decades looking into this. He’s one of the pioneers in "gelotology," which is just a fancy way of saying the study of laughter. His research found that laughter can actually decrease cortisol. That’s the stress hormone that makes you feel like a frazzled mess. When you laugh, your brain also releases endorphins. These are the same chemicals that give runners that "high" after a long jog, but you get them while sitting on your couch watching old clips of I Love Lucy or The Office.
It's a workout, too. Sorta.
A good laugh revs up your heart and increases the amount of oxygen in your blood. It’s like an internal massage for your organs. While it won't replace your 5:00 AM CrossFit session, researchers at Vanderbilt University found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes can burn about 40 calories. It’s not a lot, but hey, it’s better than nothing.
Why March 19?
There isn't some grand, ancient scroll that dictated March 19 must be the day we giggle. Unlike some holidays with deep religious or political roots, the origin of National Let's Laugh Day is a bit murky, which is actually fitting. Laughter is spontaneous. It doesn't need a permit.
What we do know is that it has gained massive traction in the digital age. In a world where "doomscrolling" is a legitimate hobby, people are desperate for a counter-narrative. The day serves as a focal point for communities to share humor, whether that’s through stand-up specials, local improv shows, or just a funny thread on a subreddit.
The Social Glue You Didn't Know You Needed
Have you ever noticed how a shared joke can fix a tense room? It’s basically magic.
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Psychologist Robert Provine, who wrote the book Laughter: A Scientific Investigation, discovered that we are 30 times more likely to laugh in a group than when we are alone. Laughter isn't just about humor; it's about signaling. When we laugh with someone, we’re saying, "I get you. We’re safe. We’re on the same team."
On National Let's Laugh Day, this social aspect takes center stage.
- Workplace culture: Some offices (the cool ones, anyway) use the day to break the ice with "bad joke" contests.
- Family dynamics: It’s a great excuse to put down the phones and play a game that’s guaranteed to result in chaos, like Cards Against Humanity or even just a ridiculous round of Charades.
- Community: Open mic nights often see a spike in attendance around mid-March because people are looking for that collective release.
Breaking Down the Misconceptions
People think you have to be "happy" to participate in National Let's Laugh Day. That is a total myth.
In fact, some of the best humor comes from the darkest places. Think about "gallows humor." Medical professionals, first responders, and people going through absolute hell often use laughter as a survival mechanism. You don't laugh because things are good; you laugh so that the bad things don't crush you.
Another misconception? That you need to be a "funny person."
You don't need to be Dave Chappelle or Nate Bargatze to celebrate. You just need to be a consumer of funny things. It’s about the reception of humor, not just the production of it. If you spend the day watching "fails" on YouTube, you are doing it right. If you read a satirical article that makes you smirk, you've won.
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How to Actually Celebrate Without Being Cringe
Look, we've all seen those corporate posts that try too hard to be funny. They use 2012-era memes and it just feels... oily. Don't be that guy.
If you want to actually lean into the spirit of the day, keep it authentic.
Watch the classics.
There is a reason people still talk about Monty Python or The Carol Burnett Show. These weren't just funny; they were smart. Or, if you want something modern, dive into a special by someone like Ali Wong or John Mulaney.
Call that one friend.
Everyone has that one friend who is a total disaster but tells the best stories. Call them. Don't text. Actually listen to the inflection in their voice. Human laughter is contagious in a way that "LOL" will never be.
Check out a local comedy club.
The "Live" element is huge. There is something visceral about being in a room with 50 strangers all vibrating at the same frequency because a comedian just landed a perfect punchline. Even if the comic bombs, there is a humor in the awkwardness of it.
The Physical Toll of Being Too Serious
We live in a culture that rewards the "grind." If you aren't hustling, you're losing, right? Wrong.
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Chronic stress is a killer. It leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system. By ignoring the need for levity, we are literally making ourselves sick. National Let's Laugh Day is a micro-intervention. It's a 24-hour period where we prioritize the "silly" over the "significant."
Actionable Ways to Bring More Laughter Into Your Life
You shouldn't just wait for March 19 to roll around to enjoy yourself. Here is how you can bake this into your actual routine so you don't turn into a cynical husk of a human being.
- Curate your feed. If your Instagram is nothing but people's perfect vacations and political arguments, fix it. Follow accounts that specialize in absurdism or animal videos. It sounds trivial, but it changes your baseline mood.
- The "Laughter Yoga" trick. It sounds hippie-dippie, but "Laughter Yoga" is a real thing. It’s based on the idea that the body can’t distinguish between fake and real laughter. You start by forcing a "ha ha ha" and, usually, within a minute, the sheer stupidity of what you’re doing turns into genuine, uncontrollable laughter.
- Stop over-editing yourself. We spend so much time trying to look professional and composed. Let yourself be a goofball. Make the weird face. Do the bad impression. The world won't end.
National Let’s Laugh Day isn't about ignoring the problems of the world. It’s about building the resilience needed to face them. When you laugh, you reclaim a bit of your power. You're saying that despite the chaos, you still have the capacity for joy.
Go find something that makes you lose your breath today. Whether it’s a high-brow satire or a video of a goat wearing a sweater, lean into it. Your brain, your heart, and your stressed-out nervous system will thank you for the break.
Next Steps for a Laughter-Filled Day:
- Identify your "Comedy Anchor": Find one movie or stand-up special that always makes you laugh, no matter what, and keep it queued up for a bad day.
- Audit your social circle: Spend thirty minutes today talking to the person who makes you feel the lightest, rather than the one who drains your energy.
- Practice intentional observation: Look for the "glitch in the matrix" moments in public—the weird signs, the funny interactions, the small absurdities that most people walk past.
- Host a "Low-Stakes" Night: Invite friends over specifically for a "bad movie night" where the goal is to make fun of what you're watching.