Laughter Makes Business Sense

Up to 90% of the doctor visits in the USA may be triggered by a stress-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today's business demands have put a tremendous strain on our global workforce. Longer hours coupled with fewer resources are pushing more and more management and employees to their breaking point. Combined with the need to achieve work-life balance stress is taking a tremendous financial and personal toll on US business profitability:

•    $300 billion per year or $7,500 each employee is paid out for stress-related compensation claims
•    1 million workers went on stress-related disability in 2004
•    Up to 90% of doctors visits are triggered by stress-related conditions
•    Eight of the top 10 prescription drugs marketed today are for stress-related conditions
•    Stress is directly associated with depression, anxiety, asthma, alcohol/drug addictions and other conditions that affect the nervous and immune systems
•    Approximately 100 million Americans suffer stress related from chronic health conditions: heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer



Companies are looking for solutions to this crisis.  Laughter Yoga is an effective and economical way to effectively reduce workplace stress and help employees find wholeness, balance and happiness.


Let Laughter Work for You

Leadership that encourages self-esteem, cooperation, creative thinking, job satisfaction, and a place where people want to be is the emerging demand from today's work force.

Laughter Yoga can help create this workplace environment. Laughter is the only management tool you'll ever find that will do all the following:

•    Boost morale and motivate employees
•    Build resilience
•    Engender trust
•    Create a joyful environment
•    Deflect criticism
•    Get and hold attention
•    Make communications more comfortable
•    Manage conflicts
•    Reduce burnout
•    Alleviate tension, frustration and anger
•    Remove barriers between employees
•    Stimulate creative problem solving
•    Strengthen bonds between co-workers
•    Sustain a positive attitude on the job
•    Keep everyday hassles and problems in perspective.



Laughter is nature's most economical and instant stress-buster.  In fact, regular laughter sessions lead to scientifically measured stress reductions of 50% or more! It also helps in coping with psychological problems like low self-esteem, depression and phobias.

The effects of Laughter Yoga are described by some companies as "revolutionary", and yet a typical program consists of inexpensive weekly sessions lasting about 30 minutes.

Laughter Yoga has exploded from just 5 participants in 1995 to hundreds of thousands of practitioners in 60 countries with absolutely no marketing or advertising campaigns. It is set to grow even faster as businesses, governments and multinational corporations discover the benefits and excellent return on investment.

How Can Laughter Yoga Do All This?

Laughter Yoga is a radically different approach to stress management that combines simple laughter exercises with gentle yoga breathing techniques.  This revolutionary technique, invented by a medical doctor from India, causes spontaneous, joyful laughter to flow without any jokes.  You don't even need to be happy or have a sense of humor to laugh.  Because of the eye-contact and childlike playfulness that is initiated, participants discover a deep, human connection with other laughers.  This experience is more than just fun, it can be transformational.

Energizing and motivating people to think creatively and work productively is easy with Laughter Yoga.  Consider utilizing it at the following events:

Conferences
You can't go wrong with Laughter Yoga at conferences.  These brief, large-group laughter experiences can provide an excellent ice-breaker at the start of an event, revitalize the group after lunch, and deliver a memorable send-them-home-with-a-bang closing session.

• Workshops & Retreats
Laughter Yoga can enable people to work cooperatively and collaboratively from the start.  The entire group dynamic shifts after laughing together.

• Training Days
Create enjoyable events that encourage everyone's participation. Laughter Yoga is a fun and powerful way to help participants leave their inhibitions at the door and get into serious creative & learning mode.

• Meetings
Energize and renew your staff.  It makes good business sense.  Laughter sessions help to dissolve tensions within a group. Just after the session may prove to be the best time to promote new initiatives and strategies.



More About Laura Gentry

Laura Gentry is based in Northeast Iowa, which means that for a Midwest company or organization, her travel expenses are very affordable.

In addition to being a certified Laughter Yoga eacher, Laura is a professional clergyperson who understands interpersonal dynamics.  She has also worked as a motivational speaker and workshop leader for over a decade and is author of Living Word, a fine art motivational book.  Laura brings a wealth of experience, professionalism and joyful energy to every laughter session and keynote address.

To find out more about how you can let Laura's laughter yoga services work for you, contact her at: laughterlaura@yahoo.com or call 563-880-2699.