It seems like a good time to think about the things that are guaranteed to make you laugh, especially with all the stress in the build-up towards Christmas.
In fact there is a multitude of studies to show that laughter – regardless of whether it’s forced or natural – is good for us both physically and mentally!
So I’ve been giving it some serious thought, and I dare you to try ANY of these things and NOT laugh (or at least smile)!
- Go for a jump on a trampoline. It’s not just fun for kids! I don’t know about you but I find it impossible to jump around on a trampoline, without giggling my head off. It’s even more fun if you have a kid or two jumping with you!
- Play the “Honey, if you love me just smile” game. Have you ever played this game on a school camp or at youth group? If you haven’t, pop over to this site for the instructions. I don’t know why – it doesn’t sound very funny writing about it now – but it is IMPOSSIBLE not to smile or get the giggles when you play! Why not get the extended family to play, for a bit of free entertainment after Christmas lunch?!
- Listen / dance to reggae music. I recently saw an interview on TV with Iva Davies from Icehouse, where he was talking about their new sounds – they’ve started playing some of their classic songs with a new reggae vibe. When asked why, Iva Davies responded: “As soon as people hear reggae, they respond by a) dancing and b) smiling.” Try it and see!
- Playing Club Penguin and making random comments at the other player’s penguins, especially when you are visiting their igloos. Typing something like “I really need to go potty now”, never failed to crack me up til the tears were rolling down my cheeks. I may or may not have done this when Miss 17 was in the Club Penguin stage. So mature … not. Ahem.
- And finally … guaranteed to make you laugh …
… or grin sheepishly anyways, because you’ve just made an idiot of yourself!
Five simple ways to bring a smile to your dial this Christmas (or make you giggle like a maniac) – no alcohol required 😉
And if all else fails, you could always join a laughter yoga group, or ask if you could have a laughter yoga session as part of your next workplace wellbeing or team building activity!
In the interest of lowering all of our stress levels and keeping us in the best of health (because laughter IS the best medicine), what is guaranteed to make you laugh every time?!
BUBBLES! Love it.
Haha – you’re right about the word ‘Bubbles’ – I laughed when I tried to say it in a cranky voice! 😉 Min xo
I would have loved to have seen you trying! That would have made me laugh too! 😉
The things that come out of my three year old’s mouth make me laugh usually once a day! I love my 10 month old’s smile and giggle too. It’s infectious and I have to join her. 🙂
Yes! Nothing as infectious as a baby’s giggle 🙂
Bubbles used to be my nickname as a chubby teenager. 🙂 I refuse to let the chaos of Christmas get me down but I do love having a smile on my dial. Thanks for sharing and have a fabulous Christmas x
haha… love that “honey’ game… I used to play a similar one with students at school called Sausages.. One student sits in the chair and all the others ask them questions and they can only answer with ‘sausages’ – so funny watching them trying not to laugh!
(PS…beautiful pic of you and your girl!)
Playing with my baby! Or even just watching all of her crazy facial expressions – cracks me up everytime. Also the minions from despicable me they are hilarious.
This is the perfect smiling list Janet! I love reggae so much, and was lucky enough to see The Wailers live…..fabulous! x
Funny, funny, there’s a smile on my face and a giggle in my throat right now 🙂
*Tapping fingers together like Mr Burns from the Simpsons* – Excellent!
Oh yes. I love jumping on a trampoline..
Jumping on a trampoline is a good one, especially for others watching my tragic attempts to be clever and creative with my jumps.
Haha, at least make sure it is one of those trampolines with the high net edges so you don’t do yourself an injury!