It’s time to laugh! Joyce’s Career Tip of the Week

As the end of the semester gets closer, students get busier and stress levels build. Doesn’t it seem that the more we have to do, the more ridiculous things happen that make completing tasks more challenging? Things like your flip-flop breaking when you have three tests in a row and no time to go home to change shoes, or a flat tire on your car or your bike or someone steals your bike. Have you ever shown up to take an exam and discovered that your phone, calculator and ID are still at home?

Have you experienced the times when you get an invitation to something you would really like to do, but obligations (and your responsible nature) determine that you have no time to attend? Or you find out you were chosen for an interview when all of your time is already consumed by studying for multiple exams?

When you find yourself in situations like these, it just might be time to laugh.

You’ve probably heard it said that “laughter is the best medicine.” Did you know that laughter reduces our response to stress, boosts immunity, increases resilience, combats depression and relieves pain? Laughter is contagious!

The image that comes to my mind is the scene in Mary Poppins when Bert and Uncle Albert levitate to the ceiling while everyone sings, “I love to laugh.” Although I’ve never found myself anywhere near the ceiling, I do know that laughing does make me feel better.

What does this have to do with one’s career?

Actually, two things:

1. Staying healthy does allow one to be more productive and successful.
2. Managers and co-workers appreciate upbeat colleagues with an appropriate sense of humor!

Read more information about the benefits of laughter.

 

Joyce Donahue is a career counselor in the Fulton Schools Career Center.  She is a nationally certified career counselor and holds “Master Career Counselor” membership status in the National Career Development Association.