Sarah Lange, the newest member of TOPS’ Outreach team, lends her voice to the Wellness Wednesday blog this week. Sarah has a passion for writing and wellness and is currently studying to become a certified yoga instructor.
Three Reasons We Should Laugh More at Work
by Sarah Lange
Did you know that April is National Humor Month? While experts disagree about whether laughter can boost your energy or give your body a workout, they acknowledge that a good sense of humor and frequent laughter improve your quality of life—and that certainly extends to the workplace.
Why should we laugh more with our colleagues?
Laughter reduces stress and relaxes us. We probably can’t do our best work when we are worried and stressed out. Think about it: At a brainstorming meeting, will you feel comfortable contributing if you’re too concerned about how your ideas will be perceived? Injecting humor into a staff meeting can put everyone at ease and create an atmosphere where our creativity can flourish. And laughing is a much healthier way to cope with stress than, say, hitting the vending machine for a snack.
Laughter improves our mood. Do you notice that your co-workers become crankier as a deadline approaches? Do you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list and find yourself stuck in a cycle of constant complaining? Seeing the humor in a situation or laughing at yourself can give you a different, more positive perspective—and help you move on and get things done.
Laughter connects us to others. While you can laugh to yourself, laughter is primarily a social behavior—and laughter is contagious. So we can build a solid team and a supportive work environment if we share laughs. Try this as an icebreaker at your next meeting: Tell a brief story about a time you felt embarrassed at work—in your current position or at a previous job. Then invite your colleagues to tell their own embarrassing work stories. These tales will have you bonding over chuckles and serve as a reminder that even the most put-together and conscientious of us are only human.
Charlie Chaplin is credited with saying “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Don’t waste another opportunity to trade laughs with your co-workers to establish a more positive, more productive workplace!
