laugh“Take your work seriously, but yourself lightly.”        C.W. Metcalf

HONK, HONK, HONK…You’re on your way to work and your horn gets stuck while you’re behind a gang of Hell’s Angels.

Yes, you recognize that it’s going to be a long day. Expect the rest of the day to perhaps include the following:

  •  Your office  leader advises you that the  World Wrestling Federation  will represent the staff at the next contract negotiations.
  • The boss sets up a meeting with you because he has  “…a few quality concerns about your work product.”

We’ve all had days like this, but, face it, every day has some stress in it, some days more than others. Stress  is no laughing matter. but consider that a laugh or two may be just what you need to make it through.

In fact, some business leaders are willing to invest in the concept. Large corporations including  Sony, The Mayo  Hospitals, and the Army Special Forces Training Center  have invested in humorists like CW Metcalf to loosen up  their staff. According to author Metcalf, “Humor is a set of skills that anyone can learn.”

The effects of humor aren’t just powerful in relieving mild stress. Some years ago, Norman Cousins, former editor of the Saturday Review, was diagnosed with a progressive, crippling disease that the doctors believed to be irreversible. Cousins decided to “die laughing” by watching classic comedy movies. He notes, “I made the  discovery that 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter… would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.” Working with his physicians they  were able to actually beat the odds.

Medical doctor, Michael Miller , co-author of Heal your Heart, insists that his patients who are recovering from a cardiac event,  “Go home and laugh until they cry.” He notes that “Deep belly laughter triggers the release of endorphins…” the “pleasure hormones.”

The benefits of laughter are comparable to the effects of a good workout. According to Dr. William Frye a psychiatrist at the Stanford University medical school, “Laughing at least 100 times a day equals 10 minutes of rowing.” He observes that laughter relaxes and exercises every major muscle group.

As well, there’s a payoff in work product outcomes. Studies at California State University found that workers who had the most fun on their jobs were the most productive.

So if you’re looking for some relief from the stress of the day, check out one of these videos:

Jim Gaffigan-   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aL9qqWRm7E
Brian Regan- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8GMFkc3iSA

Now, wipe away the tears and  resume your day with a smile.
“If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.” Mahatma Gandhi