LAUGHTER YOGA: IT’S SERIOUS BUSINESS
Having devoted nearly my entire corporate career to employee engagement, job satisfaction, and on-the job-well-being, I still love keeping my eyes and ears on “company” news. According to Fast Company [05-14-2024]— one of my fave mags — Gallup’s 2023 workforce report, which polled more than 2 million workers from over 160 countries, found that workplace stress is at a record high, with 44% of workers experiencing high levels of stress daily and 21% experiencing anger. Most employees worldwide are still grappling with challenges both at work and in their personal lives, significantly impacting organizational productivity.
These at-work struggles often, if not always, spill over into home life, creating additional stress and strain on personal relationships and on mental health and mental illness is a pervasive problem among adults and children in the U.S. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that almost 60 million adults in the U.S. live with some form of mental illness. And, according to a 2024 Workforce Mental Health Trends Forecast, 94% of respondents say offering mental health benefits is “very important” to prospective employees.
In a world gripped by unrelenting stress and a fleeting sense of happiness, the pursuit of well-being and joy has never been more critical—particularly within the workplace, where we invest at least one-third of our lives. Think of the impact. How we feel on the job clearly affects how we feel overall. If you think workplace happiness is a “nice to have,” think again. Happiness brings abundant benefits: it's essential for building a stronger, healthier workplace and affects retention and hiring. Check out the survey results done by Harvard Business Review showing that that an overwhelming majority (85%) of business leaders agree on the benefits of prioritizing workplace happiness.
When asked, Do you believe that being a happier place to work than your competitors would:
I spent years getting into employees’ heads and hearts finding out what makes them tick — the factors that create an amazing personal employee experience, because you really can’t separate the personal from the employee. Companies forget that. Disruption and change doesn't have to be bad. It can be the spark to propel your people and the organization forward when the shift -- be it a new direction or a new benefit - fosters a strong, resilient, exciting culture or street life, as I call it.
Enter Laughter Yoga, the unexpected hero in the fight against modern-day malaise. Where stress takes a backseat, and happiness is within arm’s reach. Laughter Yoga is a transformative activity that’s breaking the mold in shifting the well-being of both individuals and businesses because those who laugh together, work better together! As companies hunt for innovative strategies to keep their teams engaged, happy, and productive, the power of laughter is standing out as a refreshing and effective answer.
In today’s business world, the topic of joy can seem elusive. You certainly don’t see it on the agenda during Monday morning quarterbacking. What if we could flip the script and view life, including work life, through a happier lens? Imagine an experience that doesn't just make you feel better but physically transforms your body and mind. Laughter Yoga is a playful activity that combines deliberate laughter (which turns contagious pretty quickly), eye contact and deep yogic belly breathing. You might be thinking, deliberate laughter? It starts that way, but your body doesn’t know the difference between laughing at something humorous and a fake physical laugh. You experience the same physiological effects either way.
When we laugh, there's a fascinating cascade of physiological changes that take place in our bodies and brains. It's more than just an emotional response; it's a complex interplay of chemistry and mechanics that can significantly impact our overall health. Laughter triggers a flood of hormones - our body's natural feel-good chemicals - promoting an overall sense of well-being and even temporarily relieving pain and anxiety. It also reduces stress hormones; improves immune function, circulation, respiration and enhances our mood. These benefits are not just anecdotal; they're backed by a growing body of scientific research.
Leaders know workplace stress is a problem. They experience it themselves. They’re burned out and exhausted maybe not always but a lot. Many try to address it, but often in ineffective ways. Laughter Yoga takes you way outside your comfort zone which is why it’s easy to give it the side eye. But, there’s a serious side to cracking up. Laughter builds community. When your team shares laughter, they build bonds that translate into improved collaboration, communication and creativity. It’s a prescription for laughing, learning, leading, and is a catalyst for corporate wellness and success.
The benefits of Laughter Yoga can be felt in minutes and it’s suitable for all fitness levels. Once you know how to do it correctly, you can do it on your own — and, it’s free. When done in groups, it’s a chance to decompress and connect on a more human level. And, according to indeed.com, companies that successfully foster community among employees often experience higher rates of trust, respect, empathy and cooperation overall. “Building a vibrant workplace community isn't a perk—it's a game-changer. When employees feel truly connected to something that feels bigger and stronger together, they unleash a wave of creativity and productivity that can propel a company forward,” says Allison Baldwin, former Senior Vice President of People who is now the co-Founder of The Zest Zone, a St. Petersburg, FL based practice known for guiding others to live and work with more joy and vitality in life and in business.
Businesses on the lookout for the next big thing to boost employee morale and productivity are recognizing the immense potential of Laughter Yoga. Incorporating regular laughter sessions into the workplace is not just a feel-good gimmick; it's a strategic move to foster a healthier, more dynamic work environment. For employers, it’s an investment in mental health and in creating a happier workplace. As an old ad slogan from the California Milk Advisory Board goes, “Happy cows make better cheese.” And, just like happy cows, a joyful workplace produces better results.
It's time to keep it light, even when we can’t.
To bring Laughter Yoga into your business, contact Ilene directly.
About Ilene Mitnick
Ilene and her partner Allison Baldwin are Founders of The Zest Zone, known for guiding others to live, work and play with more joy and vitality — with an emphasis on personal health. Their mission is to be a dynamic force in physical and emotional wellbeing all in the Pursuit of Happiness. Ilene has facilitated hundreds of workshops in Leadership, Coaching, Motivation and Joy Work and has led groups through transformative experiences like Think Tanks, Retreats and Cultural Turnarounds.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ilene Mitnick C: 860-638-8568
https://www.thezestzone.com/zest-laugh-intro
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