12 ways to put more fun in your life

Rediscover your inner child with adrenaline highs, convivial gettogethers and belly laughs…

Simple tips to make you smile

1 Flip out of your comfort zone it’s amazing how liberating it is to try a new physical challenge. Whether it’s bungee-jumping or zorbing (rolling around in the human equivalent of a hamster ball), all you need is the ability to laugh at yourself! outdooractivities.co.uk

2 Try a progressive dinner party enlist two sets of friends who live close by. Dress to impress for cocktails and canapés in one house, then up tails for a main course in another and dessert in the third. arriving at new venues creates a sense of anticipation, no one gets bogged down cooking all day – and you’ll have a hoot.

3 Travel the world from home instead of a traditional book club, pick a country, read a novel/guide, then compare notes over themed food and drink (dressing-up optional).

4 Try a school/college reunion connecting with old friends is easy, thanks to the internet. and you just know sharing schoolday memories will give you lots of chuckles and a warm glow.

5 Wig it! there’s something irresistibly giggle-inducing about slipping on a wig that’s totally unlike your own hair. transform from a brunette into a pixie-crop blonde – and spring a surprise on your partner or friends. Laughter guaranteed.

6 Pump up the volume! music taps into the same part of the brain as food and sex, and releases the feel-good neurochemical dopamine. so stream spotify and get dancing.

7 Team up for a challenge you only have to watch kids doing an obstacle course to remind yourself how much fun they are. create your own in the garden or group together for an it’s a Knockout session (we-are-a-knockout. co.uk). Want a cerebral challenge? try the crystal maze live experience (the-crystalmaze.com) or check trip advisor for the best escape room near you.

8 go to the coast. the smell of the seaside is caused by dimethyl sulphide gas – and getting a lungful at the beach will boost your mood. that’s because sea air is full of negative hydrogen ions that can balance levels of your happy hormone serotonin. so run barefoot in the sand!

9 Sing to the rooftops you don’t need to be the next Katherine Jenkins to join a choir. check out your options at bbc.co.uk/sing/ findachoir .shtml or go for a taster session at rock choir.

10 Channel your teen spirit think back to what you most enjoyed as a teenager and do it, whether it’s climbing a tree, slathering on face masks with a girlfriend or having a lie-in eating crumpets drenched in honey.

11 Go on a treasure hunt geocaching is the grown-up version of a treasure hunt, where you use gPs to find geocaches (waterproof boxes containing quirky treasures, a logbook, pen and paper) in locations as near or far as you want. great exercise and good old-fashioned fun (gagb.org.uk).

12 Set up a sofa comedy night think of all the times you’ve laughed out loud at the telly, make a list, then indulge yourself in a retro chucklefest, courtesy of iPlayer and Netflix. From films like Raising Arizona, Bridesmaids and Best in Show to classic series like Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, The Office and Ab Fab, or try a newbie like bittersweet After Life. w&h