I Was Required to Join the New World Order of Laughter Yoga at Work
The growing trend of coerced laughter in workplace wellness programs is not funny
Image by lookstudio on Freepik
A presentation at work today managed to combine three of my pet hates: TED talks, poorly-evidenced well-being techniques, and coerced workplace fun. Fortunately, I was in virtual attendance so managed to dodge that last bit. But at the heart of this particular TED presentation was the idea that you can elevate well-being by engaging in group laughter, whether or not you find anything funny.
To quote from the TED talk:
"We have a saying in laughter yoga: fake it, fake it, 'til you make it... because science proves that regardless of whether the laughter is real or fake the body makes no distinction".
Supposedly the mere act of laughing fools your brain into thinking you're happy. This shades the idea that sticking a pencil between your teeth to make you "smile" can also elevate your mood; it also shades Amy Cuddy's concept of “power pose”.
Take your brains, eh! (Audience) Eh!
You see it?
Now wash! Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
(Audience) Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! ...
(Cla…