How Humor Helps
"Laughing stirs up the blood, expands the chest, electrifies the nerves, clears away the cobwebs from the brain, and gives the whole system a cleansing rehabilitation" -- Anonymous
We all know people who have a great time no matter what they are doing. And often, we don't like them for exactly that reason! Humor is a commodity that is absolutely, positively 100% free, and yet few of us use it to its fullest potential. When is the last time you laughed at work? Or more importantly, when is the last time you made others laugh?
Taking life lightly is great advice, especially when you consider the tangible benefits. First of all, a smile uses fewer muscles than a frown and it burns more calories, too. If that doesn't get you thinking, laughter also lowers blood pressure and stimulates the release of endorphins into our bodies. Endorphins are the same stress-relieving agents triggered by exercise. Overall, laughter stimulates the immune system and offsets the effects of stress.
So Why Aren't We Laughing More?
"Live in the moment." How many times have you heard that mantra? Sometimes we just become too focused to do this. It is possible to see humor in almost any situation, and yet we are often a million miles away from what we are actually experiencing.
Somewhere along the line, the message has drifted down that life is serious. We may be concerned that if we make jokes, others will doubt our intelligence and write us off as not being serious-minded. In reality, most of us admire people who can laugh at themselves or create levity.
A university tracked second graders as laughing an average of 247 times a day, compared with adults laughing only 7 times!
Why Should We Laugh?
So why should we laugh? Well, first of all, it is fun. And we all know that time flies when we are having fun. It creates a synergy and sense of excitement in any situation. In a crowded restaurant, which party would you rather join -- the one where people are laughing and having fun, or the one where they are chatting somberly? Humor makes people feel relaxed, part of the group and open. It helps build relationships and business partnerships, as well!
A recent survey conducted of 100 vice presidents of major corporations revealed that 84% thought employees with a sense of humor performed better than those with little or no sense of humor. Go figure! And you thought work was supposed to be serious!
Another study conducted by interviewing over 700 CEOs showed 98% as stating they would hire a person with a good sense of humor over someone who lacks one. Who would have thought that lack of humor would be a career-limiting trait?
A Study of Humor
In the late 70s, Norman Cousins brought humor and laughter to the attention of the medical community. He had been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and believed laughter held therapeutic benefits. Since he thought negative emotions had a harmful effect on health, the opposite should hold true as well. Cousins theorized that feelings of hope, joy, confidence and love were byproducts of laughter. His work was so significant that he spent the last 12 years of his life as a researcher at UCLA Medical School.
What Is It OK to Laugh At?
This is an important note, as inappropriate humor can be destructive. A simple guideline is that laughing at anything that can be changed is okay. For example, a temporary situation is within bounds. However, making fun of a person's physical appearance -- such as their height, or lack thereof -- isn't okay. Creating plays on words or revisiting personal experiences is a great source for humorous stories.
How Can We Start Laughing More?
If you are having trouble seeing humor in your work situation, picture one of your favorite comedians in the same situation and imagine how they would handle it. For example, what would Lucille Ball do if she had two meetings scheduled at the same time and the phone was ringing off the hook? If Jim Carrey were trying to meet a deadline while being shorthanded and dealing with an incompetent coworker, what strategy would he use?
Ethel Barrymore once said, "You grow up the day you have your first real laugh, at yourself." The ability to see humor in real life is priceless, and there is a never-ending supply of material. Start looking around and live life in the laugh lane!
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