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Article 2

Laughter Rx by Nan L. Crockett “I’m not having fun at my job anymore,” lamented a recent workshop attendee. Years ago managers might well have answered, “I should hope not. Work isn’t supposed to be fun!” Today’s enlightened leaders know if people aren’t happy at work, the business suffers. Customers can tell there’s a problem, which can affect current or future purchasing potential. Project completion takes longer. Other employees start hearing negative, depressing comments. There is more absenteeism, more turnover. These hidden costs are significant. Turnover, for instance, costs on average one to one-and-a-half times a person’s annual salary. What are laughter’s benefits? Research tells us, on the other hand, that when people laugh, creativity is enhanced. Humor helps teams get on a solid footing more quickly. People who find it easy to laugh at work are less likely to need that “mental health sick day.” They have less need to move on to those ever-present “greener pastures.” There are certainly individual benefits for people who laugh. A good belly laugh actually enhances the immune system. Laughter reduces stress. In short, laughter improves our health. Think about all of those times you have laughed. It’s pretty hard to feel a lot of tension when you’re letting loose. So what do I do if my workplace is dull and boring? Liven things up! My clients have shared some of their favorites: Play a card game with colleagues at lunch time. Post cartoons around the office. Throw an ice-cream party. (Researchers have determined ice-cream is more “fun” than other foods. Can you believe someone actually studied that?) Give the funniest person of the week or month a silly trophy. The next week or month, it moves to the next person.< Keep a few reminder toys at your desk. Favorites include a clown nose, something clever you’ve made with pipe cleaners, and the ever popular rubber chicken… Many of us are way too serious. One of my client firms actually includes in its mission statement the words “Have Fun.” I think it is no coincidence that this client attracts talented people and is considered an employer of choice it its community. A popular cartoon shows a manager saying to his employee, “It has come to my attention that you have a life outside the office.” Let’s give people a life inside the office, too! Copyright 2006 Breakaway Laughter Company Nan L. Crockett is author of Breakaway Laughter and president of Breakaway Laughter Company.

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