There is almost nothing as lovely and bright as the wild, uncontrollable laughter of a child who's loving life. No matter where you are – in a packed airport, two hours into a flight delay, at the doctor's office, waiting to get potentially horrific news, or just in the park, walking by on a sunny day – a baby could smile your problems away. There's no shortage of reasons for a child's happiness. I mean, who wouldn't want to be carried, rolled around, spoonfed and snuggled to sleep every day? And with a child's sense of curiosity, every new day brings a whole new world of people, places, and fascinating things to discover. A short time spent with one of these munchkins is enough to make you wonder, "Where did I go wrong?" If being around children has inspired you to discover some of that long-lost and ever-so-infectious happiness (and to then force it upon everyone you meet), there are a few simple ways to start.
1. Nap time.
For some of us who like our sleep even more than a good slice of deep-dish, a "short nap" during the day is a one-way ticket into the danger zone – you might sleep straight into tomorrow. But even just taking the time to remove yourself occasionally from the hullabaloo by closing your eyes, clearing your mind, and recharging for 10 to 15 minutes can bring a lot more energy into daily activity. Sometimes adults need naps just as much as toddlers.
2. Bubble baths.
Maybe you're just a shower kind of guy or gal, and you don't see the point of taking the time to light some candles, scatter some lavender about the room, and soak yourself till you start to look like all that a raisin aspires to be. But never underestimate the power of Mr. Bubbles. A nice long bath can serve as another one of those much-needed breaks from busy life to recharge – and it's also the perfect time to think, reflect on the day, and prepare for the next. For those of us who are waiting for the big, bad drought to be over, however, a short, warm shower and a shampoo-bottle sing-a-long to your favorite power ballad could always do the trick.
3. Play, play, play.
In adult life, there isn't much time set aside for play, but it is important to make the time to do things that you love and that make you happy. Pick up an old hobby or start a new one. Learn to play an instrument. Take up knitting. Collect some stamps. Dig out some old chalk and brighten up your sidewalk. Exercise your creativity in a fun and informal way, so that you don't get too tired of all the things you have to do throughout the day. We sometimes forget how effectively a walk in nature or an evening spent reading for fun can chase a bad mood away.
4. Getting messy.
Forget order – bring some chaos back into your life. Make finger food and let it get all over your face. Use your hands to paint a picture. Don't be afraid to get a little dirt on your clothes. I'm not saying you should unravel the rolls of toilet paper all around the house, because at this age, someone probably isn't going to come and clean up after you. But do let yourself get a little messy and unpredictable, because all that structure can be really suffocating.
5. Hugs and kisses.
You might think you're tough, but everyone needs someone to pick them up and dust them off sometimes. Whether you've got 30 years under your belt or just three, the key to getting through the roughest patches is having someone to comfort and support you. A little hug can go a long way. We're a bit too big to be swooped up into the arms of a protector and have our tears shushed away, but we can learn to accept and show affection again, both openly and willingly.
6. Family time.
And the kiddos really got it right with this one. They constantly surround themselves with people who love and support them – people who make them feel safe. Even though we are supposed to be a lot smarter than we used to be, we have a tendency to be in the company of people that make us feel exactly the opposite. We keep so many people around for all the wrong reasons. On top of that, with work and school, we think we are too busy to drop a line back home. We shouldn't take time spent with family for granted, because it is important – and it runs out quickly. So kick those toxic relationships to the curb and revisit the ones you know you can count on.
7. Shameless dancing.
Your favorite song comes on the radio, but you're surrounded by strangers – or coworkers – or other cars. What do you do? Get up and dance! Forget for a second that anyone is watching and just let it all go. You need a release for all those pent-up feelings, and dancing to the music is just the thing. There's a tune to go with every mood. Have you ever seen a baby throw up its arms and lay down its best moves? It's glorious. And if you're like those of us who haven't much improved on our dancing since our younger years, you're sure to give your neighbor a laugh.
It's true that the kids don't have to worry about living expenses, student loans, climate crises, caffeine dependencies, kitchen appliances, and all the other horrible things that seem to come with getting older. But that doesn't mean we don't have a reason to be happy, and to share that happiness with everyone else. So take a lesson or two from the little ones, and go get some of that happy back.
