On our final day celebrating the topic of Humor, let's look for some easy ways to make it part of your routine (... meaning your daily routine, not a comedy routine)
Is this anything like how you start your day?
We've talked a lot about how beneficial humor is – it's good for your health, sharpens your mind, builds connections, and helps you bounce back from tough stuff. But how do you actually make it a regular part of your already jam-packed day? It's not about becoming a stand-up comedian on your morning commute (unless you want to), but about finding small, consistent ways to invite more laughter and lightness into your daily round.
A little intention and a willingness to embrace the lighter side of life will go a long way:
Start Your Day with a Smile (or a Giggle!)
- Silly Alarm Clock: Instead of a jarring beep, set your alarm to an amusing song or a short clip from a favorite comedy show.
- Morning Meme/Joke: Before diving into emails, spend five minutes looking at a funny meme, a hilarious animal video, or reading a quick joke online.
- "What's Funny?" Ritual: While getting ready, briefly think, "What's one thing that made me smile yesterday?" or "What's one silly thing I might encounter today?"
Inject Lightness into Your Workday
- Humor Buddy: Find a colleague with a good sense of humor and exchange a funny observation or a lighthearted comment during a break.
- Playful Puzzles: Keep a small desk toy, a doodle pad, or a lighthearted brain teaser handy for quick mental breaks.
- "Humor Hunt": Challenge yourself to find one absurd or amusing thing that happens during your workday. Did the stapler jam in a ridiculous way? Did someone use an odd metaphor?
- Comedy Podcasts/Audiobooks: Ditch the heavy news for a stand-up special or a humorous podcast on your drive or public transport.
- Observational Games: Play "spot the funny" – look for amusing signs, quirky characters, or unexpected situations while you're out and about.
- Silly Walks (probably best in private): If you're walking home, let loose for a few seconds with a silly walk when no one's watching.
- Funny TV/Movie Clip: Instead of jumping straight into a serious show, watch a 5-minute clip of your favorite comedy sketch or a blooper reel. (Harmless "fails" can be pretty darn funny too!)
- Share the Laughs: Tell a family member or roommate about something funny that happened to you today. (Or show them the clip you watched)
- Journal a Giggle: Before bed, quickly jot down one thing that made you laugh or smile during the day. This trains your brain to look for the positive.
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Today's Action Prompt: Choose one of the tips above (or come up with your own!) and consciously try to incorporate a tiny moment of humor into your routine today. Whether it's a funny podcast, a silly thought, or a quick laugh, plan it out in the morning and make sure it happens before you turn in for the night!