Laughter is best medicine at work

Changes in the world and the marketplace have created intense anxiety among employees who find they are easily expendable.

Some unpredictable or uncontrollable situations where job stressors pile up are a demanding client base or supervisor; workloads or scheduling; or decisions made which the employee has little or no input but adversely impacts their job.

The serious aspect of work is a constant.

If people can develop a humorous perspective a great deal of serious work can by accomplished in a light-hearted way.

There is much scientific evidence that laughter is an integral part of physical wellness.

Studies show that blood pressure drops to a lower healthier level than before the laughter began.

Laughter oxygenates the blood, increasing energy level, relaxes muscles and exercises all major cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Some researchers are discovering that laughter also affects the immune system and makes it grow stronger.

A 20-second burst of laughter gives the heart the same workout as three minutes of hard rowing.

Joke telling and the use of props are two forms of humor that can trigger laughter but there are many others.

Leaving an apple on a coworker's desk, giving a compliment or sending encouraging e-mail are all acts that leave people feeling good and will probably invoke a chuckle.

Organizations are increasingly looking for ways to keep their workforce happy, healthy and productive.

They are realizing the benefits of laughter and are incorporating it into their wellness programs.

Companies are full of very funny and resourceful people who just need to be given permission and encouragement to use their sense of humor on the job.

Being able to laugh about self and situations helps people accept that which they cannot change.

Laughter makes people feel less overwhelmed and better able to perform their jobs.

The result is the release of tension, an increased sense of unity between management and employees, and a healthier workplace.

Jane Boucher is an author and professional speaker with offices in Reno and Ohio.

Reach her at 775-853-0226, 937-416- 9881 or janeboucher@mail.com.

Her web sites are www.janeboucher.com and www.janeboucher.org.