Spreading Smiles in the New Year

Each New Year seems to bring resolutions. Why is this? Is it because the changing of a number in the date reminds us of the passage of time. Do things become more urgent as a result? Or does the beginning of a new year simply act as a stimulus for re-appraisal?

But what if, instead of yearning to be fitter, faster and leaner, we used the space provided by the passing of a year to reflect with pleasure and joy, celebrating achievements, cementing learning.

We all seem to be very interested in numbers – did you know that the average 4-year-old laughs up to three hundred times each day; the average 40-year-old laughs this much over a two-and-a-half-month period. This is from a study by Gallup, polling over a million people in 166 countries, asking them whether they smiled or laughed a lot yesterday.

It seems that we get more serious, year on year. When we reach around 25, we seem to fall off the “cliff” in terms of humour. What happens when we grow up? Do we just get too ‘busy’ to have fun? Play starts to seem frivolous, perhaps unnecessary. And yet, people often tell me that they have many laughs when their grandchildren come to visit. The sound of laughter is contagious, spreading smiles and boosting mood.

Perhaps over the holidays you have experienced this yourself? Youngsters fooling around, curious and exploring as they discover new places, people and presents. The joy we feel watching children playing may get lost when we don’t have those opportunities regularly in our lives. So how can we generate more smiles and laughter as adults?

Games need not just be for Christmas and not just for children. Card games and board games generate many different emotions, some positive and some negative. They provide a stimulus for play and fun. Virtual gaming may also connect us. Making space for more positive play may provide us with more smiles and laughter.

Another way of bringing more smiles and laughs into our lives is to explore different types of humour and comedy. What really connects with our funny bone? Uplifting and positive humour can brighten our mood and helps us cope with challenge.

So, this New Year, how about celebrating with smiles and by looking for more smiles. Perhaps aiming to become more mindful of hurdles overcome and lessons learned.  Why not try being kinder to yourself by giving yourself a New Year break.

Happy New Year.

Anna