“Children laugh an average of three hundred or more times a day; adults laugh an average of five times a day. We have a lot of catching up to do.”~Heather King
Why is it that when we grow up, we think we have to be so serious? Work is serious. Life is serious. We are serious.
Laughter is a great thing. It makes life more enjoyable, it makes the hard stuff easier, and it makes our days smoother. It also makes us more effective at work. Research has proven all this.
Research has proven that laughter reduces stress hormones. It strengthens our immune system. It increases our tolerance of pain. Laughter distracts us from negative emotions and can even help us respond more effectively to a situation by helping us see it as a “challenge” rather than a “threat.” When we can laugh – at ourselves, with others, at the weird situations we find ourselves in – we lessen tensions and free up our creativity…as well as the creativity of the people around us. Laughter is contagious, and we can affect those around us with it as well. When we can bring laughter to our team, or our organization, we find a way to lighten loads and increase motivation and excitement. The project seems easier, the day seems more productive, the team seems fun and productive.
We have a lot of catching up to do.
Find a reason to laugh and let the laughter rip. Find a reason to invite others into your laughter and have as good a time as you can.
Where can you laugh more? How can you laugh more?
Click here to let us know.
If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
If you want to laugh more, contact Robyn at rmcleod@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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