“I am totally keen on trying to give everyone the opportunity to express themselves, everyone to have an opportunity to feel that they can get involved. Lightness and humour in a workplace are definitely beneficial. Humour and laughter are good for the endorphins. Without question, you release things so much, by just allowing yourself to laugh and everybody else to laugh.”
Dame Arlene Phillips
Humour really is a great coping mechanism in high-stress work environments. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of workers report that they suffer from high levels of stress in their job. 25% of the workforce report that their job is the number one stressor in their lives. It is no surprise that many are feeling stressed and overwhelmed in an environment that is often devoid of humour. When workers are asked to solve problems, create new things, and survive stressful encounters every day in the workplace, it is no wonder that they are becoming resentful and, in some cases, even incredibly ill.
Humour gives humans the endorphins they need to overcome high stress situations in the workplace. When employees share a laugh, they are more likely to form a connection that can stand the test of time.
Laughter is a valuable tool when it comes to building resiliency. When workers can share a laugh with each other about a difficult situation, they are more likely to overcome that difficult moment. Workplaces that encourage their workers to have a sense of humour provide a safe space for their people to deal with difficult situations. When bosses and workers don’t take things too seriously, they are able to put people first. When workers feel more valued than the work they do, they are able to overcome mistakes and stress with a feeling of belonging in their workplace.
Laughter is the best way to prick the bubble of pomposity that surrounds high-stress work environments. When workers allow themselves to laugh through the difficult times, they will release valuable endorphins that fight against the negative effects of stress. Laughter can strengthen your heart and your brain health while preserving the state of your mental health in the face of stressful situations. A smile can serve as a shield against the constant stress of the workplace and as Dame Arlene Phillips says in the introduction, “Without question, you release things so much, by just allowing yourself to laugh and everybody else to laugh.”
“A tough, fast-paced stressful, highly competitive, difficult, ambiguous world, which is quite unforgiving, that’s a tough place to walk into every day. Knowing that you’re going to be amongst a bunch of people who don’t take themselves too seriously, who will take time out to just laugh at themselves laugh with each other, and just care for each other? How fabulous.”
Bosses can add value to their business by encouraging their workers to laugh. A leader with a great sense of humour can help workers feel comfortable using humour to get through the hard times. When bosses lead the way with laughter, workers are more productive, creative, and happy in the workplace. Workers who enjoy coming to work are far more likely to go the extra mile for the good of the business.
If you want to learn more about how humour can help you or your employees through the hard times, tune in to The Humourology Podcast. Our collection of guests from the worlds of business, sport, and entertainment provides a plethora of pointers on how humour can help you manage stress, build resilience, and increase the value of your laughing stock. The Humourology Book is another valuable resource filled with advice of industry professionals who know how vital humour can be when it comes to human performance.
See you next Tuesday.
Warmest,
Paul
