The Benefits of Laughter in the Workplace

Mark Twain once said

“The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.”

We can use that effective weapon at work daily.

Of course, it is our responsibility to take our jobs and work seriously, but you should also infuse some laughter and joy into your day-to-day routine. Laughter and friendly environments make the workplace much more pleasant. It’s these qualities that make us want to come to work and be around our peers.

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Studies show that companies with fun and enjoyable work environments saw a decrease in absenteeism, tardiness and turnover rates.

At GCS, our locations work hard to implement fun competitions and team-building events. They also offer great incentives throughout the year to keep employee motivation high.

And for good reason…

 

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There are also scientific benefits to laughter, as explained by workplaceissues.com:

“Laughter releases endorphins that are more powerful than morphine. These endorphins can lead to a sense of well-being and optimism. In addition, humor and laughter can even bridge the gap between total strangers. The use of humor can even reduce tension in a stressful situation(like a workplace sometimes).”

Of course, fun and humor must remain professional. One must be cautious about what they say or do so as not to be offensive to others in any way. The great news is it’s not expensive or time-consuming to put a laughter in the workplace. Share a funny story with your co-workers on your break, hold a joke contest, or if you have a great idea, pass it along to your supervisor. Employees who are happy and fulfilled are also more productive and motivated.

We all have effective “weapons” we can use everyday, so whip out the humor and smiles to make your work day great!

Related Articles

• Laughter and Love (psychologytoday.com)
• Laughter Really is the Best Medicine (mindbodyfitness.suite101.com)
• Reader’s Digest Laughs

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