A good joke is an ice breaker and a stress buster at the office and homes. Although humor is subjective, it can work even at our places of work when self-deprecating stories are shared among peers.
It happened in one of our regular editorial meetings in the beginning of this week when we were told to share the weekend experiences. Although a few recounted the stunning beauty of the places they visited or the risk involved in the weekend shopping, the meeting burst into laughter when I said about my liking for comedies. Some of my colleagues, except a few, considered me as mirthless and a serious person who hardly laughs!
The giggles that generated from references on Charlie Chaplin to the best stand-up specials on Netflix continued endless, with suggestions that we should always have a laughter session at the outset of every meeting, I felt sort of like I had to talk about it.
This is because I am one of those people who laughs, but only to select jokes or when I am with the people of my choice. I like comedies not because Norman Cousins, a journalist, had markedly eased ankylosing spondylitis through the use of humor.
I like them because when it comes to watching comedy shows, it helps me spend my free time on something that could make me busy and happy.
We do not need any scientific proof to substantiate the fact that life is better when we laugh. I'm not exactly sure what it is... but I think it is more important than ever that we smile and chuckle more.
But with the busy schedule of our daily life, who has time for fun? Busy as we are, it is worth figuring out how to build some fun into our life on a regular basis.
The news of the world doesn’t offer many opportunities for humor. It’s always negative information that dominates in our daily life. Not because what is happening isn’t important. It is essential for our mental health that we take a break from our daily grind and find reasons to laugh.
Humor, smiles and laughter are communication opportunities that could be exchanged between employees and managers. Laughter helps combat stress and promotes relaxation.
Laughter is one of those activities that individuals can always do more often. It can be spontaneous, or it can be intentional. Besides engaging both the mind and the body, laughter helps people bond.
According to Heidi Hanna, a health wellness advisor, laughter is the physical manifestation of finding something funny, and it can help to reduce inflammation and stress hormones, improve blood circulation, and enhance the immune system.
Laughter can relieve stress and pain at work. Starting the duty with a bit of laughter can help build up resilience and a sense of community among peers working together.
The curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.
Yet, a word of caution! Laughter is something we all need but during periods of crisis, it can easily be misunderstood. Untimed fun and humour during situations like the current Covid-19 pandemic, may turn out to be inappropriate. So, it’s important to be cognizant of your surroundings while laughing.
Laughter is indeed the best medicine. So look for more opportunities to laugh, and work to create an environment where thousands of smiles can bloom.
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