We can all use some fun, cozy and cheerful moments in life. A smile is no exception during these moments. And this is a good thing, because laughter is healthy and brings many (health) benefits, also at work.
A smile brings people together, lowers blood pressure and has many other benefits. Not only is it good for your health, it also has its benefits in the workplace.
Increase productivity
Research shows that it is important to laugh at work. It would increase productivity in the workplace. Maybe sometimes it feels like you’re not being productive and actually not working, but it turns out that performance improves spectacularly when we laugh together.
Positive humour
Little jokes, because someone makes a funny mistake, is fine. On the other hand, laughing at someone else’s expense, by teasing or gossiping, is not productive. So it’s important to laugh at the right things and not hurt anyone. Positive humor is the key to productivity. When this positive humor is used, it does not have to cause loss of time, but it actually ensures a pleasant working atmosphere and a lot of productivity.
The health effects of laughter
Not only is it important to smile at work, it is also important to do so in other situations. For example, half an hour of laughter a day could possibly be a natural protection against a heart attack. This is partly because the body will produce less of the stress hormone cortisol when there is laughter. As a result, it is possible that the coronary arteries stiffen less, which may happen earlier when the body produces a lot of cortisol.
It also has a positive effect on other hormones. For example, the body produces more of the hormones that make us feel good, such as endorphins and serotonin. This makes us feel more comfortable and we are more relaxed, which also has a positive effect on your resistance.
So laughing is healthy, so try to do this regularly. You will shine!
Fatigue has something to tell you. The big question is: are you listening to your body’s wise message? in this article you will read how valuable it is to rest and relax. “It may seem that we are not productive during rest days, but the opposite is true.”
An important message
You probably recognize it: the days when everything feels heavy, your body is not cooperating. You are already tired when you open your eyes in the morning… This is of course not a nice way to start the day. I give you some tips to deal with fatigue. It is important to know that your body has something to tell you. It’s very simple: take a step back, take it easy. We live in a society in which a lot is expected of us and in which we demand a lot from ourselves. We may have goals we want to achieve. But did you know that it is extremely important to build in a rest day to achieve your goals? It may seem that we are not productive during these days, but the opposite is true.
If you don’t listen to your body…
When we go beyond our limits, our body gives off a signal, the fatigue. With this we are, as it were, ‘forced’ to take a step back. But you may not be able to slow down because too much is required of you. As a result, you may not be able to listen to your body for a long time. You go on and on and your body starts producing adrenaline. It does this because it ‘thinks’ it is in danger. The adrenaline, a stress hormone, makes you feel like you have renewed energy.
Your body has given you a signal, namely the fatigue. You have not been able to listen and act upon it. This puts you in a state of readiness: there is a constant adrenaline rush in your body. If this continues for a longer period of time, you are prone to burnout.
Yin and Yang energy
Life is made up of yin and yang. Yang is a dynamic energy, of doing and activities. Yang energy cannot exist without yin energy. Yin stands for relaxation and softness. Yin energy is greatly needed if you have lived in the yang energy for too much or too long. Yin is about reflection, seeking silence and meditation. Coming home to yourself. If you build in space for yourself, there is a good chance that you will come to new insights. Research what makes you relax: listening to calm music, walking in nature, visiting a sauna, reading a book… You probably know what helps you to recharge.
Yin and Yang Symbol
The many benefits of rest
As I wrote before: rest gives new ideas. And these new ideas ensure that you can take steps again. And there’s more: sleep and relaxation allow your body cells to renew and process the events of the day. They are hugely important. So prioritize at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Your cells renew during sleep, which has a positive effect on your body and mind. Enough reasons to give yourself some rest. It is essential to be the best version of yourself. Not only do you benefit from this, but also your environment.
Be inspired by the jaguar
We can learn a lot from nature, from the animal kingdom. Take a jaguar. This animal can easily reach 80 kilometers per hour when running. It naturally has a good balance of activity and rest. The jaguar lives instinctively and does not think about tomorrow or next week. He takes rest when needed. This is how he charges himself for the moment he wants to catch his prey. After hunting, the jaguar takes time to eat its meal. Then he rests and can digest the meal well. He then charges for the next hunt. We as humans can learn a lot from this. We also need this charging time. After we are recharged, we can resume activities with new and fresh energy.
Learn and be inspired by the jaguar
Long live slowing down!
It’s not easy to sit still. Sometimes it is even very hard work to stand still. We are faced with a little voice in our head that tells us to be productive and keep going. Because that’s how we are programmed. In our society it is all about economic growth and we are focused on matter. Still, it’s more than worth the effort to ‘slow down’. Start today.
