Creating a Happier Workplace
A look at the science behind laughter and happiness at work for Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re bringing you insight from our advisor, Dr. Natalie Dattilo, a Clinical Psychologist and Instructor at Harvard Medical School
Dr. Dattilo discusses why it’s important for employers to plan and focus on happiness in the workplace
At Laugh.Events, we offer unique event experiences that encourage laughter amongst co-workers, such as improv workshops and virtual comedy shows, all with the goal of helping improve mental health in the workplace
When we think about how to best help teams looking to create happier workplaces, we look to the science.
Laugh.Events advisor Dr. Natalie Dattilo, a Clinical Psychologist and Instructor at Harvard Medical School, helps us navigate what’s happening behind all the laughs we see on a daily basis.
Dr. Dattilo says a happy office takes conscious effort by employers. “It doesn't just happen. Routine and planned activation of the pleasure and reward centers of the brain are required to feel good and to preserve the ability to feel good in the future.”
Emphasizing the need to think seriously about employee happiness, Dr. Dattilo stresses that too much emphasis on productivity can have a negative effect. “When we, as a culture or society, prioritize productivity over happiness, then I think that's what leads to a toxic culture in which we are over focused on getting things done instead of being present and being happy.”
At Laugh.Events, we promote consistent laughter through our Laugh Breaks offering, encouraging teams to think beyond the standard one-time event. How do we do it? Here are just a few ways:
A series of improv workshops to reinforce professional development skills using laughter
Quick team building activities on Zoom on a routine basis
A comedy community for young professionals in NYC through our monthly after-work shows
We’re keeping the laughs coming - reach out to our team to learn more about how to incorporate Mental Health Awareness for your team in May through our corporate comedy events!