Friday, February 10, 2006
The Brampton Guardian by HEATHER ENNIS

You can laugh your way to a healthier work environment, according to a Toronto-based speaker who put on a show at the Brampton YMCA recently.

Paul Huschilt had local business people in stitches at the first of a series of lunch-and-learn sessions benefiting the YMCA Spirit of Giving campaign.

After kicking off the event with a rousing original show tune, Huschilt went on to entertain the crowd with his seven humor habits for workplace wellness.

First, you have to take time to relax, he said.

"It just takes a few moments," said Huschilt, while leading the group in a quiet deep-breathing exercise. "It's not rocket science."

People sometimes get caught up in finding the perfect time and place for relaxation, but the moment never comes, he said.

"Take the time you've got, it doesn't have to be perfect," said Huschilt.

It's easier to find time for yourself when you learn how to say no, he said. A lot of people, particularly in service industries, find it very difficult not to overload themselves with tasks and favours for other people.

"Research shows that we have each heard the word 'no' an average of 100,000 times while growing up. It's pretty ironic that as adults, we cannot say the word to save our lives," said Huschilt.

To illustrate the point, he led the group in an impromptu game of Simon Says-- trying to trick them into saying 'yes'.

"If somebody wants you to do something you do not want to do, what will they do?" he asked.

"They will compliment you," he answered himself, drawing a round of knowing laughter from the crowd. Laughing is something everybody needs to do more of, said Huschilt.

"When you do, you release chemicals into your bloodstream that would be illegal if you bought them on the street," he said, referring to endorphins, which are chemically related to morphine and heroin. Kids laugh approximately 400 times a day, he said, but in adults that number plummets to just 14 chuckles a day.

"If you want to laugh 400 times a day, you have to laugh at some things that aren't funny at all," said Huschilt.

Laughter also reduces stress, boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and naturally relieves pain.

"It's very good for us to laugh," he said, even at ourselves. Huschilt urged the crowd to remember the Galileo Principle, named after the 17th century astronomer who found evidence that planets do not revolve around the Earth.

"You are not the centre of the universe," he said.

Tickets for the Business Leaders Luncheon Series cost $35 each. A table of eight costs $240 per luncheon. For information or to register, call the Brampton YMCA at 905-451-9662.

The next workshop in the series is Power of the Pen with handwriting analysis expert Elaine Charel on Thursday, March. 2.

Other sessions include an inspirational session about overcoming daunting obstacles with superstar jockey Sandy Hawley on Thursday, April 6 and Just Change it: The Fast-track Guide to Personal and Professional Renewal with life coach Peggy Grall on Thursday, May 4.

Reprinted with permission of The Brampton Guardian.