Are you having a laugh?
Trainer and conference speaker Frank Newberry does a rapid-fire report on the effects of laughter in our lives. He concludes that it is good to laugh.
Good for our nerves, good for our stress levels, good for our breathing, good for our blood circulation, good for our blood pressure and good for our immune system.
Research shows that on average:
Adults smile on average 15 times per day.
Children LAUGH 150 times per day
Adults laugh 6 times per day.
Laughter can:
- Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
- Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
- Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
Laughter is the best medicine
Go ahead and give it a try.
If you are feeling a little down - form your mouth into a smile and then give a laugh, even if it feels a little forced. Once you’ve had your chuckle, take stock of how you’re feeling. Are your muscles a little less tense?
Do you feel more relaxed or buoyant?
That’s the natural wonder of laughing at work.
© 2024 Frank Newberry.
If you have any questions about communication, management or problem solving please get in touch with Frank at:franknewberry.com