Why We Ought to Take Laughter Extra Severely
Managers may shy away from humor in difficult times. Yet, as leadership coach Tanya Livesey points out, one of the most powerful ways to help your team bond is laughing
“We don't need greater professionalism in our workplaces. Instead, we need more of ourselves and more human connection. “Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, humor, seriously
While a laugh isn't exactly what I'd characterize most of the past year – when I think back to the moments of recklessness when I actually forgot the global horror outside my home office – it often started with moments of humanity which were shared with colleagues about our daily zooms. These little glimpses into each other's crazy life sometimes allowed us to partake of the wonder and silliness of the world for a few joyful seconds, and often made us cry with laughter. Let's get to the serious business of business It rarely felt like work after one of those morning interludes.
As it turns out, one of our last great freedoms is our ability to laugh. In fact, laughter is such an important part of being human that there is a whole arm of science: gelotology, from the Greek word for laughter. Hence the health benefits are well documented. A good laughing fit can create a cascade of feel-good hormones that counteract the effects of stress. It has been shown that just 15 minutes a day is just as beneficial for the heart as 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. It even has a pain reliever effect and can boost the immune system. What's not to love about it right now?