International Day Of Happiness

By Sunny Turner

13th March 2026

International Day of Happiness: Why 20th March Is Extra Special to Me

The International Day of Happiness falls on 20th March every year – and with it coming up next week, it feels like the perfect moment to share why this date has always meant something special to me.

You see, 20th March is also my dad’s birthday. So happiness has been part of this date for as long as I can remember. When I discovered that the rest of the world had also decided to mark it, it felt like a lovely coincidence – or maybe not a coincidence at all.

What Is the International Day of Happiness?

Back in 2011, Jayme Illien introduced the idea to the United Nations as part of his “happytalism” project – a vision that put human happiness at the heart of society rather than economic growth. The UN agreed, and the first International Day of Happiness was officially observed on 20th March 2013.

Since then, every year on this date, people and organisations around the world come together to acknowledge that happiness, well-being, and freedom matter – for everyone, everywhere – and to encourage these values to be reflected in public policy.

Happiness and Joy – Are They the Same Thing?

This is worth pausing on, because I think it changes how we approach a day like this.

Happiness and joy are not the same thing – even though we often use the words as if they are.

Happiness tends to be temporary. It is a reaction to something going well – a promotion, good news, a sunny day. It feels wonderful, but it comes and goes depending on what is happening around you.

Joy is different. Joy is deeper and more enduring. It is an internal state – something that can exist even alongside sadness, fear, or difficulty. It is rooted in purpose, connection, and meaning rather than circumstance. Joy is less something that happens to you, and more something you can choose to cultivate.

And here is something I find comforting: joy provides us with resilience. It is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about having something steady inside you that helps you cope when things are hard. Even simply taking a moment to reflect on a joyful memory can lift your mood. You do not need the joyful thing to be happening right now. The memory of it is enough to start shifting how you feel.

That distinction matters, because it means that even on the hard days – especially on the hard days – joy is still available to us.

Where Does Laughter Fit In?

According to Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga, there are four elements of joy: laughing, singing, dancing, and playing. Not a nice bonus. Not a distraction. Four core pathways to that deeper, lasting state of well-being.

That is why Laughter Yoga is not about being happy. It is about accessing joy – through the body, through connection, through play. And because the laughter exercises we use are simulated, you do not need to feel good to begin. Your body cannot tell the difference between laughter that is spontaneous and laughter that is practised – the benefits are the same either way.

I came to Laughter Yoga during one of the hardest periods of my own life. I was not happy. I was on antidepressants. But I found joy – and that is what kept me coming back.

If you want to understand more about how it works, What Is Laughter Yoga? A Complete Guide to the Practice That Is Changing Lives is a good place to start.

Why International Day of Happiness Matters

Even if happiness is fleeting, celebrating it is not a bad thing. Moments of happiness matter. They lift us, connect us, and remind us that life can be light as well as heavy.

And for many people, a day like International Day of Happiness is an invitation to look for joy – the kind that does not depend on everything going right. That is something worth marking.

Lots of wonderful organisations rally around this day – including Laughter Yoga communities, the United Nations, and Action for Happiness, whose monthly well-being calendars are brilliant and worth bookmarking.

The Science Bit (It Is Worth Knowing)

Laughter does something measurable in your body. It reduces cortisol – the stress hormone – boosts endorphins, and supports your immune system. It is not wishful thinking. There is solid research behind it.

For a deeper look at the evidence, The Science Behind Laughter Yoga: Why You Don’t Need to Feel Happy to Laugh covers it well. And if you are thinking about this from a workplace perspective, Workplace Stress Management: How Laughter Yoga Reduces Stress by 43% is worth a read too.

Simple Ways to Cultivate Joy Today

You do not need a big plan. Here are a few ideas:

Dance around your kitchen – even for one song
Do something playful and a little bit silly
Sing, even if no one is listening
Come along to a Laughter Yoga session and see what happens (or watch on YouTube)

For more everyday ideas, 12 Wellbeing Practices for Stress Relief and Mental Health has plenty to choose from.

Come and Celebrate With Us

We usually mark International Day of Happiness with a special session – and you are very welcome to join us. No experience needed, no particular mood required. Just come as you are.

All upcoming events are in the Events section here. If you would like to bring a session to your workplace or community group, drop me a line and we can chat about what would work best.

One last thought: my dad was born on 20th March 1930, more than 80 years before the International Day of Happiness even existed. He has been celebrating this date his whole life without ever knowing the world would eventually catch up with him. I think that is rather lovely.

Discover what’s coming up in the Events section here. If you’d like to bring a session to your workplace or community group, drop me a line and we can chat about what would work best.

For more information, contact Sunny Turner at happy@seriouslaughter.co.uk or call or WhatsApp +44 7974 778091.

Sunny Turner is the founder of Serious Laughter, an FHT-accredited Laughter Yoga business serving Manchester, Cheshire, London and the wider UK. Having discovered Laughter Yoga during her own experience with depression, she delivers wellness workshops to corporate teams, schools, NHS organisations, and community groups – helping people discover the transformative power of unconditional joy.