Thanks to Peppercommer Jamie Hogan for the idea!
Do you laugh at work? Yes, laugh. If not, you should definitely read this article by Lisa Quest in Forbes. Quest focuses on the health benefits of laughter and explains a few different ways to add laughter to your day.
The first three ways should be followed by all employees…every day:
- Learn to take yourself less seriously
- Make it OK for others to laugh at work
- Find humor in difficult or stressful situations
Everyone loves to laugh, but many people wouldn’t dare laugh at work. Some believe that if you’re having a good time and laughing with your colleagues, then you’re not being professional and not getting work done. Actually, laughter brings you closer to your colleagues, makes you happier and healthier at work, and more productive.
A friend of mine was an emergency room physician for several years. The stress was unbelievable and many cases were truly a matter of life and death. The hours were long and exhausting, yet he had to try to think clearly every second of his shift. He told me that if the doctors didn’t find a way to laugh in between the tragedies, they’d go crazy. No one can handle that level of stress.
So, even docs in the ER find ways to lighten the mood. If they see the benefits, so should the rest of us. And, for most of us, our jobs are not a matter of life and death. So, lighten up and have a laugh. You might even enjoy your job more.
Do you and your colleagues share laughs at work?
2 Comments
One reason doctors are so jovial is that they keep their patients in stitches.
Ha! Good one, Greg. Did you ever try stand-up?