Here's a great prescription that will lower your stress level a notch or two and bring a dimension of creativity to your work that is sure to drive the "opposition" nuts:
: One good laugh twelve times daily (minimum adult dose)
According to an article at CiteHR.com, a recent study showed that there are three main reasons people aren't coping with life:
· they have low self-esteem
· they live in the past
· they don't laugh enough
Some people, like Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett and Jim Carey are naturally funny. If you are naturally funny, count your blessings, you already bring a dimension of humour to work. Okay, so you're never going to be a comedian; just remember there are plenty of funny people you can rely on.
Here are some ideas that could help you find
more humour at work. They are especially useful after a town budget process or annual performance reviews.
Take a look at some old policy and procedure manuals
You've got to be kidding? If we actually tried to run the municipality this way, we'd be "thrown out on our ears" even before you could say, "It's in the manual, Alphonse."
Keep an MP3 player handy or listen on a computer
Buy a player and a set of ear buds, and take funny CDs and MP3s to work. Every now and again sit back and take a humour break with Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopee Goldberg, or Garrison Keillor or somebody you find really funny. They'll help you keep your municipal policy - and office politics - in perspective.
I am a marvelous housekeeper.
Every time I leave a man, I keep
his house! Zsa Zsa Gabor
Humour on the internet
There is a lot of funny stuff on the internet ... if you tilt your head just the right way. Some sites actually try to be funny, like Joke of the Day, You Tubes's Twins Talking and the House of Commons, O.K. maybe not the House of Commons, but you know what we mean. Keep a book of humour
Collect short jokes, funny stories or inane
observations - and pick it up now and
then for a few laughs.
My Doctor is wonderful. Once, when I couldn't afford an operation he touched up the xrays!
Joey Bishop
Have a laugh instead
Physical fitness stemming from laughter
is a benefit known to few. Scientists
estimate that laughing 100 times is
equivalent to a 10-minute workout on a
rowing machine, or to 15 minutes on a
stationary exercise bike. The mere act
of laughing exercises the diaphragm, as
well as the abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles.
Post humour on the wall outside your door
When people pass your door or cubicle,
they'll stop to read your funnies and
laugh. Laughing (most of the time) will
be much better than the normal hallway noise.
Get a cartoon-a-day desk calandar
Every morning make a little ritual of
tearing off the previous day's cartoon and reading the current one. Save the really
good ones. Post the bad ones outside someone else's door
Remember the old adage "laughter is the best medicine" ... laugh when you're feeling angry or low! Another benefit of laughter is that it improves your over-all mental health. According to helpguide.org, laughter is good for your health:
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins. These are the body's natural 'feel-good' chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Laughter is a coping tool. It provides a harmless outlet for negative emotions, and provides a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult or stressful situations.
