THE TALENT NETWORK, Inc.
FAKTOR PRESENTATIONS Volume No. 1 Issue No. 1
Laughter is like an aerobic workout. Laughter is actually a form of exercise," says William Fry, M.D., associate clinical professor emeritus of psychiatry at Stanford University. According to Dr. Fry, laughing 100 times a day gives the same boost to your heart and lungs as 10 minutes of rowing. Tickling the funny bone also causes the body to release natural painkillers, increasing our tolerance for discomfort. It also mobilizes infection-fighting antibodies, such as Immunoglobulin A, found in saliva. This helps the body fend off infection.
In a study conducted at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, l0 medical students enjoyed a funny movie, while 10 others sat quietly in a room. Blood samples collected from the students showed that the stress-hormone levels of those who saw the film dropped dramatically.
Not surprisingly, hospitals are catching on to the magic of mirth. Many healthcare facilities now have laugh-mobiles or comedy carts stocked with funny books, tapes and games. Hospital humor rooms provide amusing films as well as live stand-up comedy performances. Some geriatric facilities have even set up "geri-antics" programs. One senior home in Florida established a humor hotline and calls the homebound elderly with a joke-of the-day.
Giggles provide the following health benefits:
Psychological benefits:
• Extinguishes body tension
• Gives a psychological boost
• Reduces stress
Cardiovascular benefits:
• Decreases blood pressure
• Lowers heart rate
• Enhances circulation
Muscular benefits
• Strengthens heart muscles
• Relaxes muscles throughout body
• Moves nutrients and oxygen to body tissues
Laughing is jogging for your insides :-)
So, if you want to give your insides a good workout without putting on your jogging shoes, just turn on your favorite mindless sitcom or comedy video and prepare to yuk it up.
"Laugh and the world laughs with you... cry and your doctor will prescribe Prozac!" That's the motto of Mary Faktor.
Studies at the University of California show that stress releases large quantities of cortisol and epinephrine, which increases blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar. 30 minutes of laughter can suppress release of stress-related hormones, boost immune system functions, elevate moods, and produce profound and long-lasting changes in overall health and wellness. Measurable decreases were noted in tension, depression, anger, and fatigue of those tested.
Happy people create a more pleasant and productive work environment and use less sick days due to stress-related illness. This ultimately results in less office tension, better efficiency and an increased corporate bottom line.
Because of the increasing demand of corporations and associations to address the high stress levels of their people, laughter, play and creative presentations are more important than ever, and Mary Faktor has the ability to make people lighten their load with yuks.
A member of the National Speakers Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and National Association of Self Esteem, Mary's popular one-woman comedy show, `THE SIX AGES OF WOMAN has been utilized by corporations and associations to entertain and educate men and women of all types and ages at banquets, luncheons, retreats, conferences and conventions across America.
" The Six Ages of Woman consists of universal humor in the style of Bob Newhart or Bill Cosby, so everyone from all walks of life can relate," said Mary in a recent interview. "People need to laugh and play more than ever. Recent domestic and world events, the economy, family pressures, health challenges, job insecurity, etc., have left people suffering with tremendous anxiety and depression. So, how do you spell relief? L-A-U-G-H-T-E-R."
• Have you ever wondered
what inner comic
lies beneath the quiet accountant in the next cubicle?
• Did you ponder if your operations manager has an imagination?
• Did you ever enter a brainstorming session with your sales staff and
exit with the same old tired ideas presented in the same old tired ways?
• Is there a need to shake up the status quo of your Board of Directors
and get people coloring "outside the lines" of creativity?
• Does your administrative staff just need a really fun 90 minute break
from the stressful office routine of dealing with the management demands?
MAKE MERRY WITH MARY! Mary Faktor can get your people communicating on a whole new creative level. A graduate of the Second City Improvisation Training and former member of Chicago's Improv Troupe, `General Eclectic,' Mary teaches improvisation games with a corporate message in her creative communication workshop `IMPROVE WITH IMPROV'. Each game has a distinct message of communication, cooperation, confidence, or creativity, and each game is a group activity...therefore, there's no need for "performance anxiety".
So, if your routine has been getting dull, and you want to "think outside the box," to enhance the dynamic of your environment, let Mary take your normal, average executives, salesmen, accountants, administrative assistants, consultants, nurses, teachers, retirees, students and others, and get them playing, laughing and relating in a safe, fun, non-threatening environment.
When tae going gets tough, ... the tough know how to laugh!
Sam Walton, founder of WalMart, once gave his employees a challenge: If they could "achieve the impossible" by generating record profits for the fiscal year, he'd dance the hula down Wall Street.
They succeeded, and were delighted by a sight they'd not soon forget...their CEO dancing in a grass skirt through the nation's financial center. That was many years ago, and we all know where Walton's cheerful motivational skills have led.
Many of America's top leaders know the power of humor...ARE YOU?
Keeping customers happy is such an important job. A great example of a successful corporation which follows this policy, is Southwest Airlines, where use of humor is part of the job description.
According to the Wall Street Journal, "this successful airline recruits people with a `strong sense of humor,' who, along with serving well, smiling, and communicating well, have been known to recite the safety regulations in rap, bring out a guitar and sing, and wear costumes on Halloween flights."
I personally remember a flight I was on. As we landed, the flight attendant grabbed the microphone and started singing to Patsy Cline's "Crazy". "Crazy, you're crazy to fly other airlines...." We all applauded and laughed... A nice way to end a trip, and the fact that this was 10 years ago and 1 still remember it, speaks volumes for the positive impact they have on their customers.
Southwest's 9,000+ employees are known for their loyalty and hard work. In 1990, when oil prices went "sky high" (pun intended) employees purchased ~135,000 worth of jet fuel through payroll deductions to keep them operating. Would your employees be as loyal? Does your management give them reason to be?
People place high value on their family and friends, (even more so since 9/11) so you might as well encourage and support it. Southwest does, and it certainly seems to be working for them.
Remember...Laugh and the World laughs with you ....Cry and your doctor will
prescribe Prozac!
Mary Faktor from "The Six Ages of Woman"