Wellness and Lifestyle

Tip #1: Watch comedy for a change. If you only watch the intense, serious movies or TV shows–the ones with murder and mayhem, villains and victims, tragic characters, and terrifying scenarios–it is easy to think of the world as a place of fear and darkness. Add movies or shows that celebrate the wonders of life and that make you laugh or smile.
Tip #2: Spend time with people who laugh easily and who don’t take themselves quite so seriously. If you have difficulty lightening up, you need to find a happy mentor or laughter guru. Check out the local comedy club if all your friends are too serious. If you are really bold, join an improv class.
Tip #3: Find other props to help you laugh. Go to the library and check out cartoons books, joke books, or funny novels. Watch funny SONY DSCclips on YouTube, and learn more about your own unique sense of humor.
Tip #4: Never miss an opportunity to goof around with children or babies. Since typically kids have not yet lost the natural ability to play and be silly, make time to join them, especially when they are having fun.
Tip #5: Incorporate play time into your week. Many parents are very conscientious when it comes to arranging play dates for their kids but forget to do the same for themselves. Do activities that make you happy like miniature golf, board games, dancing, karaoke, or just playing with your pet.
Tip #6: Bring humor into your conversations. Ask friends about what makes them laugh or what funny movies they recommend. Ask co-workers about the funniest thing that has happened to them this week. Notice the different conversation that gets going when you ask “How are you?” versus “What made you happy this week?”
Tip #7: Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up. Put up pictures in your office that are guaranteed to make you smile–photos of your children laughing, silly posters, happy faces.
TIp #8: Start with a smile. Fake it ’til you make it. Even fake smiles stimulate positive biological responses in the brain.

By DEBRA MANCHESTER MACMANNIS, LCSW