Are you open to Learn, Laugh and Let it go? by Santhanaram Jayaram MBA
The climate of the work environment has certainly changed over time because it used to be that you checked your humor at the door. We use to associate laughter as a bad thing and would not take anyone seriously if they laugh too much. Anyone who was caught cracking it up or laughing would most certainly have been ostracized but it is really that kind of attitude that enables one to persevere. Due to this perception, many organizations give laughter a lower priority. The danger to this could be the rise of a toxic environment. People getting overstretched with the workload and overstressed. People working in isolation and not opening up to each other. People not trusting each other and walking away with misunderstanding and ill feelings. There is hope. Learn, Laugh, and Let it go.
It is important to learn how to open up space around you and make work more fun.
1. Laughter is a wonderful remedy for managing stress
Laughter is a natural stress reliever because it releases powerful chemicals called endorphins, which literally make you feel better.
When workload is extremely heavy or challenges are great due to cutbacks, layoffs, or restructuring. When staff members are dealing with great stress due to increased workloads or impending layoffs, a joyful opportunity to laugh and share some funny news can be just the kind of “therapy” the organization needs.
Laughter at work is a wonderful thing! A little laughter can go a long way in making people more productive and friendly. When co-workers take a moment from their duties to smile or laugh together, studies have shown that it can lead to:
Fewer sick days
Increased sales and productivity
A healthier working environment
Learn, Laugh and Let it go.
Breaking for Laughter - Considering the amount of lost time companies experience because of sick or stressed out employees, companies may be better off incorporating a little laughter into the day. Perhaps we can replace the "smoke break" with the “laughter break!” It doesn't take a researcher to figure out that employees who enjoy their jobs better work more efficiently and more effectively. Organize some time during lunch to go out to an open space and stretch your happiness by laughing, sharing funny moments and even just smiling at each other.
Learn, Laugh and Let it go.
Connecting with Laughter. Laughter can help you on a personal level and on a corporate level because laughter is easy to incorporate into any company. Research shows that laughter does help increase or encourage things like hope and optimism, which can in turn help one feel better about themselves. Laughter is like a cool rain on a warm day because it clears away emotional debris that can weigh you down. The more be share the more we care. I believe that the more you encourage an open dialogue session, you could reduce misunderstanding in communication and clarify for better understanding. You will be surprised that when you share your current challenges, you might be able to identify similar pain points.
You could put more fun into work - If companies want to go from merely surviving to thriving, they have to be adaptable to change and they also have to learn to do more with less. Companies are always looking for to help stressed out employees and this is exactly where something like laughter therapy can come into play.
Learn, Laugh and Let it go.
Take a vacation from your seriousness - It is is like taking a vacation. Change your environment and break the pattern. It would help you to move away from the emotional serious loop to a more light hearted environment. Learning how to lighten up on the job and learning how to take yourself a little less seriously while working can help boost productivity and increase employee morale. When it comes right down to it, your sense of humor is a powerful coping mechanism.
Having a sense of humor should actually be a much coveted skill because those who have a sense of humor tend to laugh at themselves more and roll with the punches. Humor is a skill that can serve both the employee and the company well because people that have a sense of humor are also more likely to take the initiative more. Learning to laugh at yourself and your own mistakes.
Learn, Laugh and Let it go.
Bringing your sense of humor to the job will help you and everyone around you to work more effectively and more productive because laughter acts like a giant relief valve
Laughter, the giant relief valve - Laughter helps you deal with difficult projects, tight deadlines and too much work with too little time, you can make your life much more manageable. While some people may claim to thrive under pressure, it is not something that can be maintained day in and day out with no adverse effects. Laughter is a powerful tool to release the tension in your body.
Laughter has healing and restorative properties and it is an amazing tool that anyone can use.
Open your self up to possibilities
Laughter can:
Improve your mood and add joy to your life
Improve your resilience and immunity
Relieve stress and anxiety
Strengthen relationships
Promote bonding and help defuse conflict and enhance teamwork, making it a great tool for companies as well as individuals.
Boost the immune system and circulatory system
Enhance oxygen intake and stimulate the heart and lungs
Relax muscles throughout the body
Trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers)
Ease digestion/soothes stomach aches
Relieve pain
Balance blood pressure
Improve mental functions (i.e., alertness, memory, creativity)
In conclusion, laughter therapy helps improve one's attitude and it is a powerful mood booster. Laughter can reduce stress and ease tension and it can promote
relaxation. It helps you sleep better and enhances the quality of your life in every way. It can also help to strengthen your social bonds and your relationships as well, because it can enhance your sense of well-being.
Laughter may just be one of one the best medicine's there is. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself! Learn, Laugh and Let it go!
