Share A Laugh For International Joke Day
International Joke Day falls on July 1 every year. As the name suggests, this day is designated for all things comedy, humor, and jokes. For many people, International Joke Day can provide a lighthearted break from the usual stressors of daily life and offer respite in the form of comic relief. To celebrate, you might attend a comedy club, watch a funny movie, or create your own stand-up routine. If you seem to have trouble finding enjoyment in humor, it might be beneficial to consult a licensed therapist.
History of International Joke Day
International Joke Day originated in the United States in the 1990s. In 1994, author and graphic artist Wayne Reinagel created the day to promote his joke books.
The benefits of humor and laughter
International Joke Day can provide an opportunity to laugh and connect with others through jokes. While this may just seem like a simple means of connecting, laughter and humor can have significant benefits for mental and physical health.
The benefits of laughing may include the following:
Increasing organ stimulation
When you laugh, you tend to inhale more oxygen than usual, which can, in turn, stimulate major organs like your heart, brain, and lungs, as well as your muscles. Extra oxygen can lead to increased endorphins released in the brain, potentially contributing to a more positive mood.
Soothing tension
Laughing can increase muscle relaxation and stimulate blood circulation, leading to relief from tension and other physical manifestations of stress.
Improving your immune system
Chronic negative thoughts can produce chemicals in the body that raise cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. The more stressed your body is, the less effective your immune system may be at fighting off illnesses. In contrast, when you’re having more positive thoughts or laughing often, your body can release neuropeptides that fight stress.
Relieving pain
Improving mood
People can experience low moods for a variety of reasons, from having a rough day to living with a chronic mental illness like depression. Laughing regularly can decrease feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety, and it can also improve mood and self-esteem.
Increasing overall satisfaction
Laughing can help you connect with people and cope with difficult situations more effectively.
The benefits of humor can be similar to the benefits of laughter, with positive mental and physical health effects. Humor can also act as a positive coping mechanism. Studies show that people can utilize humor to buffer stressful events and stay positive through hard times.
How to celebrate International Joke Day
Below, we offer five suggestions for sharing a laugh on International Joke Day.
Go to a comedy club
International Joke Day can offer an opportunity to visit a local comedy club. You can go alone or bring friends or family members. Many comedy clubs put on comedy shows on a daily or weekly basis, and pricing is often affordable (if not free). Some comedy clubs may offer open mic nights, where aspiring comedians can try out their sets, and some also feature well-known comedians performing their stand-up routines. Comedy clubs often sell food and drinks, so you may not only enjoy some laughs, but also have a nice meal.
Hang out with loved ones
Hanging out, sharing jokes, and connecting with people you love can be a simple way to celebrate International Joke Day. You may consider telling a good joke to your loved ones and having them share their favorites, or you may reminisce about funny memories that make you laugh.
Watch a comedy movie
If you’re spending International Joke Day on your own, a fitting way to spend your day may be watching a comedy movie. Comedies can come in many different packages. Romantic comedies may appeal to romantics, while others may appreciate satirical or dark comedy. Research indicates that watching movies can improve mental health and boost empathy.
Create your own stand-up routine
For the more ambitious and creative, International Joke Day can be an apt occasion to solidify your stand-up routine. You may wish to spend the day implementing your final edits or trying out a few jokes with friends or family. Once you’re happy with your routine, you may wish to try out an open mic at a comedy club.
Have fun
The benefit of International Joke Day may be that it can bring some lightheartedness and humor to everyday life. If you’re not a big fan of comedy shows or movies, don’t hesitate to engage in another activity that brings you joy and makes you laugh.
Keeping humor inclusive
If you’re thinking of coming up with a few jokes or even creating your own stand-up set, it can be important to know what is and isn’t funny. While humor can be subjective, there are a few topics that are generally not a good idea to joke about, including someone’s appearance, race, or cultural background, an illness or disability, or any other personal attack on a specific person or demographic.
While some people believe comedy should have no “off-limits” topics, it may be vital to recognize that some people may take offense or believe they’ve been singled out by comedians who make fun of certain people or groups. This doesn’t necessarily mean that comedy should stick to cliche “How did the chicken cross the road” jokes, but it can emphasize the importance of being considerate and compassionate.
Mental health support
Laughter, humor, and telling jokes can be great tools to improve mental health and overall mood. However, for people living with mental health conditions like depression, it may be difficult to find joy and humor in daily life.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you may be wondering how you can feel better. For some people, lifestyle interventions like improving sleep and eating habits can make significant improvements in mental health. For others, doctor-prescribed medication can improve symptoms.
For many mental health conditions, therapy can be a useful tool. Working with a therapist can help you address your issues in a safe and supportive environment, learn new coping skills, and move forward in a more positive direction.
Additionally, you can find the type of therapy that works best for you and your specific mental health needs. Some people gravitate toward the social support that can come with group therapy, whereas others like the one-on-one dynamic of traditional in-office therapy.
Online therapy can be a convenient option for those with busy schedules or who prefer to participate in therapy from the comfort of their home. For those with depression who may have trouble getting out of bed and commuting to a therapist’s office, connecting with a professional online may be more accessible.
Studies indicate that online therapy can be equally effective as in-person therapy for treating a variety of mental health concerns.
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