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18 May, 2015 by Cris Popp

The Laughter Secret to Improving Your Wellbeing & Performance – in Minutes

Twittables:

10 Minutes to More Health and Productivity with Laughter Therapy

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Need a Quick Boost Right Now?  Try Laughing!  Here’s how …

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As the famous adage goes “Laughter is the best medicine” and who would not agree to that. Laughter surely is the best natural remedy to so many of our problems. We all know a good hearty laugh lowers blood pressure. If you had a hectic lengthy day, watching a comedy show or a hilarious movie is the best way to lighten up your mood and get rid of that gloominess; laughter helps youLaughter is the best medicinein reducing your stress hormone levels too. But do you also know the benefits of laughter to your cardiac health and that it also benefits your T-cells? Yes, the laughter, that we all take for granted, is much more than we give it credit for. People who can’t do difficult exercises because of theirfrail condition, are advised to laugh often because laughter burns the same amount of calories per hour as walking with moderate speed.  Like stated earlier, T-cells, which are the cells responsible for the body’s immune system, activate when you have that full, joyous, satiated laugh.

Laughter Yoga is centred around the healthy benefits of laughter therapy. In fact most people make no distinction between the two. Just incase you’ve never heard of it here’s what Laughter Yoga is all about.

laughter is best

As the name suggests, it is an exercise to feel care free and laugh your heart out loud. Laughter Yoga, or Hasyayoga as many call it, is a type of exercise in which people laugh voluntarily, mostly in groups. Although it is famous among senior groups in recent times it has also become popular among the younger generation as well. The routine involves making eye contact with your group member or partner and having a whole hearted laugh. It doesn’t matter, whether your laughter is genuine or forced, it will benefit your physical and psychological health. Although it originated back in the mid-1990s, proper channelled sessions were started in 1995 by Madan Kataria. He started a Laughter Yoga Club in March, 1995. Despite the fact that it was totally a new idea, it soon gained momentum and by 2011 there were more than 8000 Laughter Clubs in 65 different countries.

Workplace laughter

The benefits of Laughter Yoga are not unknown. It has been scientifically proven that elderly people who have chosen Laughter Yoga to remedy depression, feel less depressed and more energetic and delighted. Not only does laughter mitigate depression but it also helps to reduce stress levels. The more you laugh, the more lively you feel. Laughter takes away your worries and tensions and helps you concentrate on your task. We all know too much worrying affectsthinking capabilities and productivity. We tend to become numb to our surroundings and sink deeper into a sorry state, which results in us falling ill and/or  depressed. Laughter on the other hand lightens up our mood and triggers T-cells which help us in keeping our immune system in top shape. Similar to aerobic exercise, Laughter Yoga increases your oxygen level and makes you feel more energetic and stress free. When you imbibe positivity you tend to emit it too and create a happy, healthy and positive environment.

Medical studies have proven that laughter and wellbeing are attributed to the release of endorphin in the blood stream. A noteworthy effect of this phenomenon is increase in the pain threshold which is assumed to be a by-product of the release of endorphin and has an opiate-like effect. As we all know a simple laugh can help spread some positivity, laughing can also help you to socializebetter. As you make it a habit to have a lighter mood and feel less stressed, you are more likely to enjoy meeting new people and making good friends.

laughing at the workplace

Many businesses have made a point of having a laughter session at the workplace in a bid to reduce workplace worries and stress and create a more energetic work environment. As Laughter Yoga is an inexpensive method to create a positive environment, organizations are more likely to take advantage of it. It requires no high tech machineries to be installed and it is a natural way to create a peaceful efficient atmosphere. According to Dr. William Fry of Stanford University, a mere 10 minutes of vibrant joyous laughter is equivalent to a full 30 minutes of exercise on a rowing machine. Imagine how helpful laughter would be in increasing your blood circulation level and balancing the oxygen supply.

hysterical laughter

A good mood and stress-free mind is the reason for better performance too.  Organizations know that happy employees mean greater productivity so arranging for a laughter therapy session in the organization helps cheer people up. This happiness releases neuro-peptides which help in better functioning brains. The better the brain function, the better you are at performing your tasks. Other benefits organizations receive by having a laughter therapy session at the workplace are:

  1. Strong, bonded team as laughter helps in creating an easy environment and people find it easy to connect with their colleagues.
  1. Better enhanced communication skills. When employees are happy, they feel relaxed and are able to communicate better. Better communication can help personnel in Sales and Marketing Sectors as it requires lots of healthy conversation with potential customers.
  1. Stronger attention span. We all know human minds cannot work with the same diligence and determination after 90 minutes of continuous work. After 90 minutes, the mind needs to take a few minutes of rest. If instead of that, the employees have a full 5 to 10 minutes of a laughing session; their brains will get the requisite energy boost needed for creative thinking at the workplace.

Laughter Workshop

Now that you all know the benefits you can achieve through laughter yoga, I’m positive you too want to be a part of these fun filled practices. Many corporate organizations arrange for various kinds of laughter seminars and sessions.

Laughter sessions may be as long as 3 hours or as short as 30 minutes and will help your people learn how to release their stress by doing some simple laughter exercises. Also through use of these humorous exercises, employees learn to bond more easily with each other and learn to cooperate and generally enjoy each other’s company. If our minds and bodies are not at peace, we will never be able to give our best shot at work, these laughter seminars are your way to release your stress and work with healthy minds.

Now that you have learnt so much about the laughter and its benefits, why don’t you try some simple and easy laughing exercises yourself and have a good hearty laugh. Fake a smile and gradually start laughing out loud, trust me laughter is contagious you will eventually start laughing genuinely. Or why don’t you think of something stupid that you might have done in the past and have a good laugh over it.

Kris is a laughter speaker who delivers laughter workshops and laughter seminars throughout the year for corporate clients as well as small teams. If you would like to learn more about the laughter sessions that Kris offers why not give him a call on +61 438 545 607 or email info@laughterworks.com.au.

Filed Under: Benefits, Kris, Laughter, Laughter Workshop, Uncategorized Tagged With: Benefits of Laughter, corporate laughter, Laughter in the workplace, laughter therapy, workplace happiness

19 January, 2015 by Cris Popp

How To Increase Productivity With Laughter

Take a stroll through a kindergarten and compare that environment to an office space full of people. One thing that really stands out is the somber mood that is characteristic of any workstation. While young kids in a play ground laugh and giggle at the same time developing their young minds, adults tend to outgrow fun (or so it seems) when they get a job. Tradition dictates that silence and seriousness is essential for maximum production. However, recent studies now tell us that laughter goes a long way in enhancing performance in the workplace.

How to increase workplace productivity with laughter

In recent times laughter has been touted as “the best medicine” for becoming an efficient remedy to gloomy workdays as well as improving the general atmosphere of organizations. Funny enough, as a result of all the research laughter is now taken very seriously.

Some of the benefits that are credited to laughter at the workplace include:

  • Acts as a coping mechanism
  • Significantly reduces stress
  • Enhances memory retention
  • People who laugh the loudest are also the most creative at problem solving
  • Laughter enhances productivity

Among the many studies conducted was one involving Canadian financial institutions that concluded that managers who were considered humorous had a greater level of employee productivity. Stanford University’s Dr. William Fry found that laughing 200 times boosts energy levels and leaves you feeling more alive as well as burns the same number of calories as rowing vigorously for 10 minutes.

Comedian Leigh Anne recommends the following techniques for laughter at the workplace:

  • Give out crayons and paper for creative doodling.
  • Use funny quotes in correspondence
  • Organize “extra-curricular” activities
  • Encourage employees to laugh at their own foolishness
  • Make use of improvised games as stress busters and icebreakers

Other ways include having caption contests or impromptu theme days at work. Now that there’s scientific proof that work shouldn’t feel like punishment why not get that list of practical jokes ready!

Kris uses his immense experience as a conference speaker as well as a laughter expert to integrate laughter into any workplace during conferences or workshops. Get in touch +61(0)438 545 607 or send him an email info@laughterworks.com.au.

Never Underestimate Laughter At Work Ever Again. via @crispopp http://t.co/KL07MKbgGy

— Cris Popp (@laughterpopp) January 20, 2015

Filed Under: Benefits, Happiness, Kris, Laughter Tagged With: Benefits of Laughter, corporate laughter, team-building, workplace happiness

20 October, 2014 by Cris Popp

Where did Laughter Yoga begin?

Dr Madan Kataria started laughter yoga in Mumbai, India after researching the benefits of laughter for an article he was writing. A fully qualified medical doctor, Madan held the word’s first laughter yoga session in a local park (there is actually a much funnier story about how it all began but we’ll keep that for when we meet you in person). The movement has since spread to more than 6,000 locations around the world and was included in the 2004 Melbourne International Festival.

Where did laughter Yoga begin

At Laughter Works we’ve combined our work with Madan with our experience in leadership and professional development (including our work with Melbourne Business School) to develop laughter yoga specifically for workplace settings.

Recent research has shown laughter yoga to be highly effective at raising the performance of staff. The health benefits of laughter yoga are undisputed and universal. A customised laughter session is the best way to enjoy “the medicine of laughter”.

Book a laughter yoga session with us! Contact us:  info@laughterworks.com.au, or + (61) 438 545 607.

Filed Under: Kris, Laughter, Laughter Workshop, Uncategorized Tagged With: Kris, Laughter in the workplace, workplace happiness

13 October, 2014 by Cris Popp

Increase Workplace Productivity With Laughter

Numerous factors have been identified as major causes of stress such as job pressure, poor nutrition, relationships, media overload the list is endless. According to the American Psychological Association around 48% of people lie awake at night as a result of some sort of stress with an unbelievable 77% experiencing physical discomfort on a regular basis for the same reason.

Many of the people who cite stress related problems are quick to say how they’re not able to juggle other aspects of their social lives in tandem with their work related responsibilities. Research conducted in August 2014 by the American Psychological Association, American Institute of Stress, NY has revealed that annual costs incurred by employers due to employees stress related issues such as absconding duty or healthcare problems run into hundreds of billions of dollars. $300 Billion to be exact! A laughable if not ridiculous amount.

Increase workplace productivity with laughter

How Laughter Relieves Stress

Someone once said that laughter is the best medicine and it really is! Scientific research has shown that a good laugh has both short and long-term effects on your health. One such positive impact is that laughing will soothe your body muscles simultaneously stimulating your heart and lungs as well as increasing your blood pressure and heart rate resulting in a relaxed feeling. Stanford University’s Dr. William Fry also proved that 10 minutes of enthusiastic laughter equals half an hour on the rowing machine and offers the same aerobic value.

A happy employee is a productive employee and laughter activities in the workplace have been proven to exponentially increase productivity. This is easily achieved through increased efficiency, enhanced communication and better teamwork all of which are combined to create a happier workplace.  John Cleese, an English comedian and actor once said “people who laugh together, work together”. Laughter therapy offered at laughter workshops is one of the ways team cohesion is enhanced.

Other than being an important tool for team building, laughter also enhances our focus. Our minds’ attention span is greatly reduced after the first 90 minutes of a meeting or conference event. A laughter session goes a long way in helping revitalize our energy and increases our focus on the task at hand be it a convoluted HR training session or a protracted conference meeting.

Contact Us

Here at Laughterworks we specialize in laughter to create an environment that is great fun for all. Kris Popp is a renowned laughter leader who has perfected his art over many years of experience. For more on how you can make your next conference fun and interactive please get in touch with us: info@laughterworks.com.au or (+ 61) 438 545 607.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benefits, Kris, Laughter Works Products, Laughter Workshop, Workplace Tagged With: Benefits of Laughter, Kris, Laughter in the workplace, laughter therapy, workplace happiness

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.

laughpills

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

Filed Under: Benefits, Engagement, Happiness, Laughter Tagged With: Benefits of Laughter, Health & Happiness, laughter, Laughter in the workplace, laughter therapy, workplace happiness

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