Did you know…?
- The average preschooler laughs or smiles 400 times a day; the average adult laughs or smiles 15 times a day
- People smile less than they think they do.
- Laughter releases endorphins, the brain’s built-in painkiller.
- Every time you have a good laugh, you burn calories.
- Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby invigorating the cells.
- Laughing increases the pain threshold, boosts immunity, and relieves stress.
- A good belly laugh will lower your blood pressure below normal resting rates.
- Laughing is viral; when someone is laughing, it is contagious.
The benefits of laughter at work are much the same as laughter anywhere. The link between laughter and positive emotions seems strong and there is a correlation between positive emotions and workplace performance. Ultimately, laughing makes you feel good and when you feel good, you feel less stressed.
The benefits of fostering laughter at the workplace are numerous. A happy workplace means happy employees. This in turn means improved loyalty; more productivity; less absenteeism, tardiness, and turnover; reduced costs associated with illness; increased feelings of connection among co-workers; and improved ability to communicate with the boss, co-workers, and customers.
Action – Take a laugh break and consider starting a humor library; a collection of favourite comic strips, funny articles, humourous cartoons, photos, anecdotes, amusing advertisements and bumper stickers.
A good laugh can often help you regain your positive outlook. Lighten up and try not to take things so seriously.