If you have been following my blog for any length of time you know that my workplace loves to have fun. Our workplace culture belief is to make those who enter our door to enjoy and have a good time during their visit. The only way that this can happen is if we, the employees, are having a great time while we are there.
Last week our office decided to have an ugly Christmas sweater day. Not only did we each have fun making our sweaters, we enjoyed the laughter they brought to our patients when they came to see us.
Laughter and levity at work is healthy for you. Work can be stressful and one good belly laugh can change that.
A study by Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda School of Public Heath, in California, shows that laughing affects the immune system making it grow stronger with increased activity of T-cells, natural killer cells and antibodies. Research has also shown that laughing reduces stress, high blood pressure, and oxygenates our blood, which increases energy and relaxes our muscles.
With decline of Americans being satisfied with their job, one would think that more employers would be looking for ways to “lighten up” the workplace?
Many employers are still of the mindset that if their employees are laughing and enjoying themselves at work then the work must not be getting done. When, in fact, people work better when they are interacting and enjoying light humor while they work.
If you have any question about this fact, research the management practices of Google, Evernote and Best Buy (to name a few) that are of the belief that humor, enjoyment and just plain fun make employees happier and businesses more profitable.
In the article linked below, Dr. David Abramis at Cal State Long Beach has studied fun at work for years. He’s discovered that people who have fun on the job are more creative, more productive, better decision-makers, and get along better with co-workers. They also have fewer absentee, late, and sick days than people who aren’t having fun.
There are many benefits to bringing humor to the workplace, take the challenge and see what good spirits you can raise at work today, all in the name of good health!
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