Never underestimate the value of a good laugh, Prof. VGT tells us in this heartening story.
Many react with disbelief when it is suggested that they should add generous doses of humour to their work life. But seriously, humour is the best means to manage work place stress effectively. We must practice tapping into our sense of humour on a more frequent basis to release tension and monotony at work. Whether it is the tedious commute or one of those long drawn meetings, introduce humour and you are sure to keep stress at bay.
Generally, the idea of using humour at work is greeted with skepticism, but a little humour at the workplace comes with many benefits. The tension and stress that punctuate today’s fast-paced work environment can have an adverse effect on a productivity. A mind bogged down by work lacks clarity and cannot work with any focus. A little laughter will provide that much-needed relaxation. The pressures of work are dissipated, and one can get back to work with clarity and a positive frame of mind.
Laughter breaks the monotony of work, especially if the work is getting to be repetitive and boring. While discussing a serious or problematic issue, a little humor can help one approach the problem in a fresh manner
Generally, the idea of using humour at work is greeted with skepticism, but a little humour at the workplace comes with many benefits. The tension and stress that punctuate today’s fast-paced work environment can have an adverse effect on a productivity. A mind bogged down by work lacks clarity and cannot work with any focus. A little laughter will provide that much-needed relaxation. The pressures of work are dissipated, and one can get back to work with clarity and a positive frame of mind.
Laughter breaks the monotony of work, especially if the work is getting to be repetitive and boring. While discussing a serious or problematic issue, a little humor can help one approach the problem in a fresh manner and sometimes even facilitate creativity.
Until recently, most organisations viewed humour at work as a distraction, but not any longer. With workplace stress taking a heavy toll on employee health and productivity, employers are willing to adopt any means to bring down the stress levels. Studies indicate that laugher brings down blood pressure. It enhances our energy levels and provides relaxation to muscles. According to psychologists, laughter is the best medicine for stress. While stress builds up tension, humour releases it.
When humour is introduced in a particularly stressful situation, it helps you rise above the crisis because it recharges your brain and provides you with a realistic perspective that helps you successfully come out of a crisis.
When stranded in no-win situations, it pays to develop the ability to laugh at the problem.
– Prof. VGT
Heavy workloads and high work pressures often result in stress. Stress is the direct outcome of being placed in no-win situations. Dealing with a bad boss, tough clients and disengaged team members are all classic examples of stressful situations. For instance, when you are asked to accomplish a task without being provided adequate resources and time, what is the outcome? You end up with a high stress level more than anything else. You are also under terrible stress when problems beyond your control adversely impact your job.
When stranded in no-win situations, it pays to develop the ability to laugh at the problem. This releases a lot of tension and teaches you to accept what cannot be changed. It puts you in a better position to handle tough situations. Fun and laughter create an enjoyable work climate. You perform well when you enjoy your work.
Humour and team building
Humour is a great tool for team building. People who laugh together create a rapport that makes working together easy. Humour facilitates better communication because it can help break the ice and create a sense of camaraderie, not only among team members but also between a manager and their subordinates. A manager becomes more approachable if they can laugh with their team.
Humour acts a morale booster and creates a sense of wellbeing in an otherwise anxiety-ridden workplace. It makes the workplace better and the employee feels joy in coming to work even if they must tackle tough work.
Here are some ways to incorporate a healthy sense of humour at work that can help to contain your soaring stress levels:
- Take humour seriously. Make it a part of your work culture. Induct people with a good sense of humor into your team.
- Intersperse serious discussions with small breaks dedicated to humour. Go prepared to meetings with funny one liner, quotes, funny definitions to common workplace terms, jargon etc. Encourage your team members to do the same to enliven the work environment.
- Set up a humour bulletin board in the office and fill it up with humorous captions and cartoons. One glance at it when overburdened with work instantly brings down stress levels.
- Organizations are often full of resourceful people. It is important to recognize their talent and encourage them to use their sense of humour on the job.
- Keeping the humour relevant to the office settings has its own advantages. It has the biggest impact and enhances team engagement and bonding.
- On a personal level the best thing you can do is to always carry humorous book with you. When you feel particularly stressed out read a page to get relief.
As humans we are endowed with sense of humour. Let us make the best use of this very special characteristic to lead a stress-free life.
