WHY NOW? Laughter may be the best medicine, but how can we laugh at a time like this? Some people think that the tensions and conflicts in the world make it no laughing matter, but Steve Wilson thinks the joke is on them. 

In past years, events have been held in a several countries each year, but 2005 will demonstrate the phenomenal explosion of interest in therapeutic laughter, especially in North America, thanks to the efforts of psychologist and author Steve Wilson, president of the World Laughter Tour, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Says Wilson, “Regardless of the reason you laugh, the primary physical value of laughter is the way it discharges tension and stress. Psychologically, laughter plays a huge role in maintaining relationships. Actually, we need laughter more now than ever!”

BEGINNINGS: World Laughter Day was first observed on January 11, 1998, in Mumbai, India. The date was later changed to the first Sunday in May. Wilson brought the happy event to North America via the World Laughter Tour, which promotes it around the globe through this website and the enthusiastic efforts the Certified Laughter Leaders.

PURPOSE: The world is so unbalanced that it needs to lighten up and laugh more in order to maintain perspective. Here is one day to send a message to the world to get more people laughing. Laughter and Good-Hearted Living can contribute to world peace, especially by fostering attitudinal healing. According to Wilson, "Laughing is the birthright of humanity, and humane living requires frequent bouts of good-hearted laughing every day."

LAUGHTER CLUBS AND PEACE: "Laughter Club methods create stress-resistance," Wilson says. "In laughter clubs we have a place where people can go to laugh stress away. It is a way to balance and integrate mind, body, and spirit in a healthy way. We do laughter exercises for physical health, and then combine that with a system of simple practices that I created for mental health, called Good-Hearted Living(tm) . The combination leads to less stress, more compassion, less anger, more peace of mind, and greater joy; and, that makes the world a better place. It is just the thing the world needs now, especially those who are feeling the terrific stress and threat of war, terrorism, and uncertainty about jobs and the economy."

THIS YEAR: On May 7, 2006, dozens of happy observances will be conducted by Certified Laughter Leaders across North America and around the world. Events are being held in Europe, Asia, South America, and more.  Mayors, governors, premiers, and other officials and dignitaries will proclaim “Laughter Day” in their communities. The events are listed here below.

WHAT GOES ON: Typically, World Laughter Day celebrations includes the reading of greetings from eminent people in the laughter movement, and programs designed to get people laughing, such as demonstrations of the Laughter Club, a revival of ancient practices given a modern twist. The happy revelers are intentioned with sending a good-hearted vibrational message that the everybody in the world should take more time to relax and lighten up. Each locale creates its own events including, clown troupes, face-painting, massages, improvisational children's games, story-telling, drumming, costume characters, balloons, bicycle safety inspections, fired safety demonstrations, health fairs, and more. 

LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF! SEND VIBRATIONAL ENERGY! "With so many people having busy, busy schedules, pressures, demands, and hectic lives, laughter often takes a back seat," Wilson says. "This is a day when everyone can set aside their troubles and make laughing their top priority."

"Get together in groups with your neighbors, friends, co-workers and even strangers to laugh for health and peace. As all of our voices join in good-hearted laughing, we especially want to send the message that the world must learn to lighten up, be more forgiving, more compassionate, more considerate, less angry, less violent, less fearful, less competitive, more loving and more laughter filled. Imagine the acoustic vibrations of all of this laughing on this special day joining together and circulating around the world. Surely, we will be sprinkling a little more happiness and little more peace everywhere."

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT INFORMATION AND PERSONAL GREETINGS TO events@laughterfoundation.org