When was the last time you had a good laugh at work? Has it been a couple weeks? Or is it verging on closer to a couple years? You may be missing out on a key element to a happy, efficient, and cohesive work environment.
1. Less Sick Days
Research suggests that laughter doesn’t only feel good, it has actually been proven to have a positive effect on overall health. Laughter reduces stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, improves cardiac health, boosts T-cells (which fight off disease infection), and lowers blood pressure.
2. Happier Workers
Besides reducing stress laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, which act as your body’s pain killers. Laughter has been shown to help ease chronic pain and improve your mood for hours afterwards. Apparently Rudolph Valentino, the ballet dancer, used laughter, to stave off the pain when he was ill in last years of his life.
3. Team Cohesion
Laughter cleanses. It clears the air of any residual negativity and replaces it with positive energy. Sharing a laugh with your coworkers improves your relationship and connects you on an emotional level. After sharing a laugh, they are more likely to share resources. Cohesion is important for a happy and healthy work environment.
4. Exercise
This is an especially good reason if you work in a predominantly sedentary position. Laughing exercises your diaphragm, as well as your abdominal, respiratory, facial, back, and even leg muscles. And it’s a lot more fun than a trip to the water cooler and back.
5. Improve knowledge retention
A study performed by John Hopkin’s University Medical School concluded that humour during instruction led to increased test scores. By presenting information in a humorous way, you can increase the likelihood of your employees’ retention of that information. Note: this is also good to keep in mind if you ever bring a speaker in to the workplace this is especially excellent as it links to me. A funny presenter is a memorable one!
6. Motivation
Let’s be honest here. How many jobs have you had that you can honestly say you were excited to go to? Probably not too many. Now try and think back to the jobs you liked the most – I’m willing to bet those were the ones where you had the most fun with your coworkers. By bringing laughter into your workplace, you create a happier work environment. Tension eases. Moods lift. And productivity skyrockets.
If you would like to have a laughter session at your workplace get in touch with Kris on (+61) 438 545 607 or info@laughterworks.com.au.