When you laugh so much that your stomach hurts and you’re not sure if you are going to snort or fart – isn’t it the best feeling? Well maybe not farting, but that post-laughing high that you get for sure is!
I have made it my mission to go above and beyond the gratitude journal and the daily affirmations to cultivate my own happiness, because I want to laugh like a kid as much as I can, every single day. How do I do that?
Here’s 6 of my wackiest and funniest tips to include in your daily habits to to cultivate more happiness, joy and smiles from the inside out, each day.
WAKE UP AND SING
As soon as I wake up in the morning, I do four big fist pumps to the air and sing: “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for another beautiful day!”. Singing has all types of positive psychological effects so I carry on singing out loud, “I am going to boil the jug and go to the toilet…”. Or you could try singing to your partner “Good morninggg, get out of beeed”. The act of singing releases endorphins aka the brain’s “feel good” chemicals.
A study published in Australia in 2008 revealed that on average, choral singers rated their satisfaction with life higher than the public – even when the actual problems faced by those singers were more substantial than those faced by the general public [source: MacLean]
SKIPPING
I move around the house when getting ready with big happy high skips as if I am floating on cloud nine. Not only it gets the heart pumping again it makes you feel great – it’s something about moving the body in a big way.
GIFT HAPPINESS TO A STRANGER
I decide in the morning that I am going to go out of my way to stop a stranger in the street and say: “Hi my name is Carla and I just wanted to say I hope you have a magical day today”. You should see their face light up – you feel great, they feel great (and yes I have to push myself out of my comfort zone)! As the powerful author Neale Donald Walsh says “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.
JOYOUSLY GREET YOUR PEOPLE
I choose to be loud, silly and enthusiast to my staff at the start of their shift. I imagine I am in a kids pantomime and welcome them to work singing and using big gestures to make shapes. I jump out of my office desk and with the biggest hands and voice and I say “HELLO JESS! How are you this morning?!” We both start laughing, it’s brilliant!
ROLE PLAY
For example when cooking my dinner I imagine I’m on a TV cooking show and I talk as if I was talking to the camera (my nephews love playing this – we all have so much fun.) I think we all have a secret wish inside that we got to be the host of a cooking show and cook amazing food for yourself.
WHERE YOUR (INVISIBLE) GRATEFUL GLASSES
Throughout the day, I try really hard to consciously choose to see the laughter and joy in the outcomes the day brings so I’m seeing the word with gratitude instead of seriousness, where ever possible. And when I catch myself going down the negative route I I talk to myself and say “Carla honestly, is it that serious?”. Not sweating the small stuff and also making the small joys a big deal makes life better for you and everyone you make contact with.
Ultimately through these activities I’m choosing to see the world as a child does with playfulness and curiosity. As a result I feel happier, funnier and I am really helping others shift their energy. It doesn’t always take donating to charities or buying each other gifts to feel good about yourself or make someone else feel good. As you can see, some of the best things you can do are free!
Now – I dare you to pick at least one of the above activities and do it every day for the next 7 days. Make it your goal to bring more joy to your day and those of others. Connect with me on Instagram and let me know how you go, I’d love to hear! https://www.instagram.com/carlamareesimpson/https://www.carlamaree.com.au/
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