The power of laughter
When was the last time you laughed? Really laughed? Like you used to when you were a child, bent over with tears streaming from your face?
When was the last time you laughed? Really laughed? Like you used to when you were a child, bent over with tears streaming from your face?
When was the last time you laughed? Really laughed? Like you used to when you were a child, bent over with tears streaming from your face?
When was the last time you laughed? Really laughed? Like you used to when you were a child, bent over with tears streaming from your face?
At a time when there doesn’t seem so much to laugh about, now is more the time than ever to quash your niggles with giggles.
Laughter is infectious
Normally, we laugh about 18 times per day, and most of that time we are laughing with others. In fact, Harvard Business Review recently found that we are 30 times more likely to laugh with others than laugh alone. Why is that? Laughter is infectious.
I’m sure you’ve all seen those videos online of someone starting to laugh quietly on a crowded tube train, then within a few seconds after a couple of strange looks, a few more people can’t help but join in, then within minutes the whole carriage is laughing loudly together, the majority having no idea what started them laughing in the first place. (if you haven’t seen it.. click here...).
Laughter is good for our health
There are many benefits of laughing more often... here are just a few…
PERSONAL – it elevates our mood by releasing endorphins, which in turn help relieve pain
HEALTH – it reduces stress, supports our heart and boosts our immune system
SOCIAL – it enables us to build stronger, deeper connections with those around us
RESILIENCE – it enables us to cope with adversity and challenging situations
Laughter is good for business
The oxygen kick we get when laughing deeply, boosts our brain, enabling creativity, problem solving, productivity and boosting memory and the release of dopamine can enhance learning, motivation and attention. A study carried out by the International Journal of Scientific Research found that laughter and workplace fun is also associated with higher motivation and productivity at work.
Bringing more laughter to your workplace with laughter yoga
This doesn’t mean that you have to become a comedian overnight, reeling off your best “knock knock” jokes. But what else can you do to build more laughter into your work? Take time to notice things that make you smile. Share a funny personal story with the team.
Another option is to try laughter yoga. This is a unique concept which enables you to tap into your inner sources of laughter, and laugh for no reason. It is not built on comedy or humour, but incorporates deep breathing techniques with prolonged laughter to create an energising experience.
The laughter movement was started in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor, and there are now 10,000 laughter clubs in over 70 countries.
I must admit, when I first heard about this, I was more than sceptical and had visions of getting myself into some rather stretchy awkward positions. I was proven very wrong, and loved it so much that I trained as a “laughter yogi”, and now incorporate this with short laughter blaster sessions into my coaching and wellbeing programmes to help individuals bring more energy into their lives.
If you’re feeling rather frazzled and need a superbooster blast of energy, I encourage you to give it a try. After all, it takes 13 less muscles to laugh than to frown.
Laughter energises.
Laughter connects.
And in a world of 2 metres, in the words of Victor Borge
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”
A bit about Bounce
At Bounce Coaching & Development Ltd, we use the clever bits from brain science and mix them with oodles of positive thinking and a sprinkle of fun to create learning solutions that stick.
Contact us to find out more about running virtual laughter blaster sessions for your team.
“You’re not here to be average... you’re here to be AWESOME!”