Manifest Happiness at Work
How can you manifest happiness at work and what can business leaders do to increase it? Cat videos. You think we’re joking, but we may not be! Infusing happiness into the workplace IS your job — and it matters. What are you doing to bring joy to employees?
In a recent video with Katie Couric and Dr. Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University and host of “The Happiness Lab” podcast, they discuss “how wellness influences consumer behavior, how it can be prioritized in the workplace, and why it matters to businesses and brands.”
The importance of mental health has gained attention, and for good reason. It’s a critical societal topic that transcends all boundaries. But it’s not to be simply left to mental health professionals. A commitment to mental health in your own sphere of influence can make a tremendous difference.
To put it simply, it’s a leader’s job to help boost happiness at work.
Together, we can reduce sick days, help people love their job, increase employee satisfaction and retention, and improve customer satisfaction. At gThankYou, we are pretty certain that this is the recipe for business success.
What are some ways to bring happiness into your workplace?
Dr. Laurie Santos is an admired expert on the topic, and she states that your performance relies on your happiness levels. So, if she says that doctors should watch a cat video to encourage innovative problem-solving, we’re listening.
Laughter.
There are scientific reasons that laughter is not just a funny approach to improving someone’s day. In fact, The Mayo Clinic states, “Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain…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. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress and up the happiness at work.
Find ways to interact and enjoy social connection.
There are always two sides to this argument. The proponents enjoy planning and executing social activities where people can come together for some stress relief and interaction. Opponents think forced fun at work is absolutely ridiculous. We are here to serve as the middle man, offering up the reminder that you can bring people together without it feeling coerced. Allow the natural flow of socializing to raise the happiness at work. Just be sure that whatever you do to bring people together is beneficial and authentic. Encouraging spontaneous interactions, like casual lunch gatherings or team-building exercises, can foster stronger relationships without the pressure of mandatory participation. Simple gestures, such as open-door policies or team check-ins, can help nurture a sense of community.
Allow people to embrace their strengths and values.
People show more happiness at work when they are able to apply their personal strengths, interests, and values to their work. If you haven’t already, tap into one of the available tools that defines and explains personal strengths. Then, be creative about how to encourage the use of those strengths in the workplace. It can be transformational.
Ice cream doesn’t hurt, either.
Let us know — what do you do to help people find happiness at work?
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Photos courtesy of Victor Serban and Thought Catalog on Unsplash
