- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- ActivitiesAppreciationFun
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every February
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- 😄
National Laugh-Friendly Month brightens February each year, encouraging businesses to infuse customer service with humor and reminding adults of laughter’s simple joy. This month-long observance, established in 2008, aims to increase the acceptability of laughter in various settings. Embrace the opportunity to share kind humor, lighten moods, and cultivate a more cheerful environment.
Want to sponsor National Laugh-Friendly Month? Learn how
Expected National Laugh-Friendly Month Deals
While traditional sales aren’t the focus, National Laugh-Friendly Month inspires businesses to offer memorable, humor-infused experiences. Look for brands like Southwest Airlines to continue their tradition of witty flight attendants, or Ben & Jerry’s to launch playful new flavors. Retailers might host in-store events with improv comedians, while local coffee shops could feature ‘joke of the day’ boards. Companies like Zappos, known for exceptional customer service, may highlight their most amusing customer interactions. Even entertainment venues like The Second City might offer special workshops or performances designed to spread joy. We will update this page with confirmed live activations as February approaches.
Platform Guide for National Laugh-Friendly Month
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #LaughFriendlyMonth. Share short, funny skits or positive customer service moments that bring a smile.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #LaughFriendlyMonth. Post uplifting visuals, funny memes, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team’s joyful interactions.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LaughFriendlyMonth. Share humorous stories, ask followers for their funniest customer service experiences, or host a virtual ‘joke-off’.
National Laugh-Friendly Month Hero
Charlie Chaplin
History of National Laugh-Friendly Month
Laughter is a physical reaction that involves rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm. It is often a response to stimuli, whether internal or external, and can be elicited from activities like being tickled or told a joke. It is, culturally, seen as an auditory expression of many, mostly positive, emotions. The study of humor and laughter is called gelotology.
Laughter has often been a subject of great interest in literature across human history. During ancient times, the Greek historian Herodotus propounded that laughers could be organized into three categories; those innocent of wrongdoing but ignorant of vulnerability, those who are insane, and those who are overconfident. Whenever reporting laughter, Herodotus did so in the belief that it informs the readers of the person’s future or character.
Theories of humor and laughter have been put forth by many philosophers and researchers in the modern world. Hobbes believed that “The passion of laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from sudden conception of some eminency in ourselves, by comparison with the infirmity of others, or with our own formerly;” Schopenhauer wrote of laughter extensively; Nietzsche pondered upon the utility of laughter; Bergson put forth his beliefs about the causes of humorous situations, and Ludovici worked to develop Hobbes’ theory further, whilst considering it an evolutionary trait. Today, laughter is considered to have its biological roots in a “shared expression of relief at the passing of danger.”
National Laugh-Friendly Month timeline
Humans first start laughing.
Herodotus explains the three types of laughers.
William F. Fry founds gelotology, the study of laughter.
ee Publishing and Production establishes National Laugh-Friendly Month.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Laugh-Friendly Month
Local businesses can embrace National Laugh-Friendly Month by actively cultivating a more cheerful environment for customers and staff. Restaurants might encourage servers to share a lighthearted joke with diners, while retail stores could create playful displays or run ‘guess the punchline’ contests. Service-based businesses can train their teams to use appropriate humor to de-escalate tensions or simply brighten a customer’s day, fostering a memorable and positive experience. Consider offering a small, humorous token with purchases or hosting a ‘laughter yoga’ session for employees.
National Laugh-Friendly Month FAQs
When is National Laugh-Friendly Month?
In 2027, National Laugh-Friendly Month will again be observed for the entire month of February, from Monday, February 1, through Monday, February 28. This annual observance serves as a reminder to prioritize humor.
How does laughter benefit health?
Beyond immediate mood enhancement, regular laughter can strengthen social bonds and provide a mini-workout for your diaphragm and facial muscles. It’s a powerful tool for both physical and psychological well-being, promoting a positive outlook.
How many people laugh daily?
The frequency of laughter often decreases with age, making observances like this month crucial for reminding grown-ups to embrace more joy. Actively seeking opportunities to laugh can significantly improve daily life and interactions.
Who founded National Laugh-Friendly Month?
The founders created the month to counteract the tendency for laughter to be discouraged in formal environments, encouraging businesses and individuals alike to foster a more humor-inclusive culture throughout February.
National Laugh-Friendly Month Activities
Tell jokes
National Laugh-Friendly Month is all about laughing and making others laugh. Tell a joke or two.
Watch a comedy film
Give yourself some time to sit back and relax. Watch a comedy film or two to get your laughing flowing.
Attend a comedy show
Support a budding stand-up comedian or an established one you like and attend a comedy show. Get your friends to come along as well!
5 Interesting Facts About Laughter
Laughter before speech
Scientists believe that humans began laughing before we developed speech.
Not just humans
Rats, monkeys, cats, and dogs are also known to laugh.
A natural painkiller
Laughter can help reduce pain.
Not just jokes
Human laughter is normally used as a social response rather than a reaction to jokes.
Laughs per a day
An average individual laughs 13 times a day!
Why We Love National Laugh-Friendly Month
It’s an excuse to make people laugh
Making people genuinely laugh is a great feeling. National Laugh-Friendly Month is a perfect opportunity to do it more.
It’s a reminder to lighten up
Life can be stressful. National Laugh-Friendly Month is a great reminder to lighten up once in a while.
It’s an opportunity to build more comfortable work environments
National Laugh-Friendly Month can help make work environments more comfortable. Sharing jokes with others is a fast way to become friends and build trust.
National Laugh-Friendly Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 1 | Thursday |
| 2030 | February 1 | Friday |
| 2031 | February 1 | Saturday |
Social Media Tips for National Laugh-Friendly Month
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