Laughter in the workplace Archives - Page 4 of 5

25 August, 2014 by Cris Popp

5 Ways Laughter Leaders Leap Productivity

Organizations are now taking laughter – and the potential benefits that laughter can bring – seriously (if that’s possible!)

The clip below was shot recently at a session that I delivered for the Australian Institute of Management. It was exceptionally well-received and attended by leaders from a variety of industries.

Leaders are finally appreciating the benefits of having happy staff:

180% more energized
155% happier with their jobs
50% more productive
take 2/3 less sick leave
Double the amount of time on task.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us to find out how we can help you make “Happy Hour from 9 to 5”. Contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au, or + (61) 438 545 607. You will get up to 5 times return on your investment!

11 August, 2014 by Cris Popp

Lighten the Mood at Work with Laughter

The workplace can be a very stressful environment. Different personalities are forced to work together to accomplish objectives, sometimes under very tight deadlines, and everyone has an opinion on how the work should be done. Stress can come across as hostility towards others. Hostility and defensiveness at work get in the way of productivity and the ability of each person to give their best work.

How can you avoid stress and hostility in the workplace? The answer may surprise you: workplace laughter. When people are stressed and angry, it will be hard to find something to laugh about, but that’s where workplace laughter sessions come in. This sessions are group meetings where laughter and yogic breathing take place for an hour, lead by a professionally trained Laughter Yoga teacher. You don’t even need a reason to start laughing: just simulate it and the real laughter will follow, especially if you have others in a group to laugh with you, as it is notoriously infectious.

How Do Laughter Sessions Improve The Work Environment?

Laughter sessions are a great form of team-building, uniting staff to share in a common experience that will give them a renewed sense of wellbeing and focus to tackle the next project. When everyone is in a happy mood after sharing endorphin-filled workplace laughter, they will be able to calmly communicate with each other to accomplish objectives without getting stressed over deadlines. Like any team-building exercise, they are designed to bring people together. Laughter is clinically proven to reduce stress hormones in the body, making it easier for the body to channel the energy of stress into something more positive: supporting the immune system. When employees are happy and healthy, the work will get done and everyone will interact harmoniously. Studies show that after just three weeks of laughter sessions, staff morale and performance improved significantly, so don’t wait—work with laughter yoga sessions today and get ready for a happier workplace.

How To Get Laughter Sessions At Your Workplace

That’s easy – just get in touch with Laughterworks and we’ll organise something for you. We have laughter leaders in each state in Australia. Book a laughter session for your next conference or workplace event. Contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au, or (+ 61) 438 545 607.

14 July, 2014 by Cris Popp

Health Benefits of Laughter

Anyone who has ever laughed at a very funny joke, television show or movie knows that laughter feels good. Did you know it’s also good for your health? Just ten minutes of laughter a day can have enormous health benefits, especially when it is done in a group and accompanied by deep breathing exercises.

How Does Laughter Help the Body?

Laughter burns calories and brings the body endorphins. Ten minutes of laughter is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging. Laughter lowers stress hormones in the body, making it easier to cope with stress and maintain lower levels of anxiety, bringing a more hopeful and positive attitude towards life. Lowered stress hormones mean a stronger immune system, which means your body can fight off diseases better—not just depression and anxiety, but the cold and the flu, as well as other chronic medical problems.

Laughter yoga is great for seniors because it increases their life expectancy and overall happiness, giving them a simple form of exercise that won’t lead to a risk of injury. Laughter can even improve motor skills and expressive skills in physically or mentally challenged individuals. Workplace laughter is a great form of team-building that can happen at work or at a convention with the help of conference organizers. No matter the problem present, laughter may not take it away entirely but it will strengthen the body’s ability to cope and heal.

Finding Laughter

You don’t need a joke or a funny movie to laugh. The body can’t tell the difference between genuine laughter and forced laughter. You can force yourself to laugh to start off and real laughter should soon follow, especially if you are practicing in a group. Laughter is infectious, so if you hear someone laughing, your body will be triggered to laugh as well. Imagine what that could do for your workplace? Contrary to what you might think, – staff that laugh together work together.

Get a laughter session into your workplace, now, it’s inexpensive, great fun and will do more to boost performance and reduce stress than any other intervention you can think of. Guaranteed! Contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au, or 0438 545 607

8 April, 2014 by Cris Popp

Keynote Speeches & Laughter Sessions Combined

Happy hour is 9-to-5;
SWITCH Off;
GO SMILE;
Work Smarter;
Change;
Resilience.

Get the best value, and the best delegate experience, when you combine a laughter session with one of our famous keynotes. [Read more…]

31 March, 2014 by Cris Popp

3 Ways Laughter Yoga Helps Hone Leadership Skills

Leadership requires having the ability to influence people to fulfill organizational goals. A leader should have a good grasp of what people can do and how to use those potentials to encourage productivity and growth. Having a position of power and authority makes it imperative for leaders to manage challenges and workplace stress efficiently.

Managing stress and workplace challenges require good understanding and positive reinforcement in people. Empowering people requires you to create a positive and encouraging atmosphere. Likewise, leaders should also learn how to encourage positive traits among their employees.

A leader that can maintain emotional balance, and offer empathy and compassion will support better communication and teamwork among their people.
According to research, laughter and leadership work hand in hand. Laugher can lower stress levels including pressure and anxiety. Laughter therapy helps people generate positive thoughts; maintain good disposition promoting clarity and creativity.

There are several deterrents to good leadership that laughter yoga can help address or remove:

• Stress – stress factors can prevent you from working and leading efficiently. A laughter seminar is instant stress reliever. It lowers stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol. It also encourages production of endorphins – known popularly as “happy hormones”.
• Removing barriers. Laughter yoga helps ease the tension between co workers. It encourages the thought of “us” instead of “I.” Laughter seminars also encourage compassion and empathy.
• Lack of self-confidence – a leader without self confidence will not be able to empower anyone. Laughing yoga exercises helps people loosen up. It allows people to take it easy on themselves and to laugh at mistakes, thereby increasing your confidence

These are just some of the ways laughter therapy can help leaders better manage their position and those around them. Making it a point to do a few laughing exercises before the day starts or as part of workplace team-building will hone your leadership skills.

Take the lead and book an in-house laughter seminar for your team: Contact us: info@laughterworks.com.au, or 0438 545 607.