Need a lift? Here are 28 stand-up comedies to make you smile

Many, many moons ago, my dad was driving me back down to uni as he did at the start of each new term and I was talking his ear off about how I needed to start a blog to work on my writing.

Knowing how much I loved it, he suggested I write a blog about stand-up comedy.

Sadly, I did not take this advice.

And more fool me!

Had I got my butt in gear and started writing about comedy way back then, maybe I could be a serious critic or comedy journalist by now; getting invited to gigs and meeting some of my favourite stand-ups.

But alas, I was busy being a student and back then my affections were largely directed towards disco pants, crop tops, dancing the night away with my housemates and my first big city love, Brighton.

But I thought, perhaps for just one blog post, I’d take my dad's advice and write a little something about the stand-up comedy world I love so much.

It's going to be pretty straightforward, but if it can spread a little joy, then I've done my job.

So, this one’s for your Papa Sweets.

Here are 28 of my favourite comedians and their subsequent stand-ups, along with some of the best TV shows and podcasts out there that are sure to make you smile.

Some of my favourite stand-up comedy shows

Let me start by clarifying, as this will quickly become apparent, Sean Lock is by far one of my favourite comics and his sad passing makes his work even more special to me.

So as you can see, I have a lot of love and appreciation for this man and I implore you to watch all of his shows if you get the chance.

The same applies to Dylan Moran.

Some of my favourite shows include:

Sean Lock:

Purple Van Man

Keep it Light

Lockipedia

Greg Davies:

You Magnificent Beast

The Back of My Mum’s Head

Paul Chowdhry:

Live Innit

James Acaster:

Repertoire

Romesh Ranganathan:

The Cynic

Dylan Moran:

What It Is

Monster

Yeah, Yeah

Donald Glover:

Weirdo

Taylor Tomlinson:

Quarter-Life Crisis

Sets from the top comedy venues

There is an incredible series on Amazon Prime called Soho Theatre Live and some of the sets on there are just wonderful to watch. If you've got the time, I suggest you go through and watch them all but if you would like to know where to start, I recommend:

• Dane Baptiste: D.A.N.E

• Suzi Ruffell: Dance Like Everyone's Watching

• Felicity Ward: Busting a Nut

• Olga Koch: Homecoming

• Jen Brister: Meaningless

• Nish Kumar: Ruminations on the Nature of Subjectivity

• Sindhu Vee: Sandhog

• Catherine Bohart: Immaculate

• Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse

• Jessica Fostekew: Hench

Huge, huge, huge shout out to the last one on this list, Jessica Fostekew. I cannot recommend her show, Hench enough.

Her brutal honesty about childbirth, parenting, eating disorders and having thick thighs is so raw and refreshing.

I laughed so hard I cried and had to turn the TV off while I ate my lunch because I couldn’t eat whilst laughing that much.

Watch Live at The Apollo

Perhaps one of the best-known stand-up shows on TV is Live at the Apollo. There have been hundreds of shows so far, but based on their sets, I highly recommend:

• Henning Wehn

• Doc Brown

• Nina Conti

• Ivo Graham

• Guz Khan

• Chris McCausland

• Kerry Godliman

• Rosie Jones

• Fern Brady

• Alex Edelman

And if you can’t find their stand-up sets from Live at the Apollo, there is plenty of their other content online, so keep these names in mind.

Best comedy podcasts

If you prefer podcasts or you like to have something to listen to in the car or on a walk, there are also loads of great stand-up comedies on Spotify (or whatever music platform you choose).

For one thing, you can listen to lots of stand-up sets on there, you just can't watch the comedian on stage, which is perhaps only best if you've already seen them.

But there are also some amazing podcasts out there and a few of my favourites are:

• Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

• Where There’s a Will There’s a Wake with Kathy Burke

• The Wolf and Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis

• The Paul Chowdhry Pudcast with, you guessed it, Paul Chowdhry

The top TV shows

If you want something easy-watching that you can relax to in the evening or that you can have on in the background, some of the best TV shows out there include:

• 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

• Taskmaster

• Outsiders

• Hypothetical

• Would I lie to You

• Backstage with Katherine Ryan

The year of comedy

I am SO excited for next year as I have a couple of stand-up gigs booked already. To go and see obviously... I’m not going to be performing.

I’m hoping to get a couple more booked in as we have some pretty good acts playing down here in Cornwall, and if not, my sister lives near The Anvil in Basingstoke, another great venue with some huge names.

This year is going to be a big stand-up comedy year for me and I cannot wait.

Here's an old photo of us a few years back at a Dylan Moran show to finish with. And if you do take my advice and watch any of the shows or sets listed above, please do let me know what you think!

14 ways to pick yourself up after a bad start to the day

We’ve all been there, it’s barely 9:00 AM and you’re already willing the day to be over. 

It’s not an ideal start to any day, especially if it’s a work day and you’ve still got your entire shift ahead of you. 

But there is good news. 

You don’t have to let a shitty start to the morning define the rest of your day, with a little bit of self care, you can turn it around. 

How you choose to refresh and restart will really depend on who and where you are, as well as what you’ve got planned for the rest of the day. 

But here are 14 suggestions for picking yourself up and making sure you have a better day. 

1. Take a breath and be mindful 

It’s important that you give yourself some time to just let go of the world. 

You could find a quiet spot to meditate (maybe outdoors if the weather is nice) or even just take five minutes to just sit and have a cup of coffee and give yourself some time to reflect. 

Breathing exercises can be a great way to help clear your mind and they don't have to take long. In just a few minutes you can change your whole outlook on the day. 

2. Clean up your space 

OK, I’ll admit it, I can be guilty of leaving last night’s washing up until the next day and this is never a fun thing to stare at all morning, especially when you’re mood is already low. 

That’s why I like to take 10 minutes when I get up to have a quick clean-up, so I have a tidy space to enjoy for the rest of the day.

 In particular, I find making the bed early always helps me feel like I’m heading for a productive day, do you get that? 

But you can also tidy your desk, put the washing away, clear the rubbish out of your car; or whatever it is that makes you feel better. 

3. Have a shower 

It is such a small thing that we take for granted but having a shower can quickly help you to feel refreshed, motivated and ready for the day. 

This can be all it takes to change your perspective on the whole day. 

And while you’re in there, why not throw on some of your favourite songs and sing at the top of your lungs? It’s a double whammy for feeling better. 

4. Get dressed

I LOVE my pyjamas. I wish it was socially acceptable to wear my Muppet trousers and oversized Stranger Things T-shirt everywhere. 

But sadly it’s not and actually sitting about in your pyjamas all day can have a negative effect on your mood if you're already struggling. 

By getting dressed (even if it’s in yoga pants and a baggy hoodie) you’ll probably find you feel more productive and prepared for the day.

5. Go for a walk 

Going for a walk and getting some fresh air can clear your mind, especially on a sunny morning.

Maybe choose somewhere nice to walk like the beach (if you live nearby) or your local park. 

Or, if you're short of time, even just a walk around the block can help reset your thinking and get those endorphins flowing.  

6. Make a to-do list 

Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed out writing a list helps me empty my brain and give me a bit of direction for the day ahead.

Plus I bloody love writing a list! 

Start by writing down a few things you’d like to accomplish during the day. These don't even have to be big things. It’s perfectly acceptable to write smaller tasks like making your bed or calling your mum. 

Just being able to check things off your list, no matter how small they seem, can be the pick-me-up you need to continue on a successful trajectory. 

7. Do your most important task first

Are you a procrastination pro? Because I know I am! 

I can distract myself for hours doing non-essential tasks whilst convincing myself I’m being productive. 

But this is not always helpful and can leave you feeling like you’ve barely started the day. 

So instead,  if you’ve got something important or time-consuming that you need to do, perhaps you’ve been putting it off for a while now, get it done first thing! 

This will give you a huge sense of achievement for the day, but it also frees up your time later to relax without having it hanging over your head like a grey cloud. 

8. Do a workout 

Is there a better way to let go of the stresses of the world than to sweat it out? 

Whatever your favourite workout is, be that going for a run, a HIIT workout or some chilled morning yoga, a good exercise sesh can have such a positive impact on the rest of your day. 

So throw your leggings and trainers on and get started. 

9. Get back in bed 

This one might not work for everyone, certainly not if you’ve got to go to work, but if you have the opportunity, why not literally start your day again?

Get in bed and have another half an hour's sleep. That way, when you wake up, you can start your day all over again feeling refreshed. 

Alternatively, you can watch a show or read your book in bed for a little longer before you get up and get ready. 

10. Watch your favourite show 

If you’ve got time, pop on an episode of your favourite show, even if it’s on in the background as you’re getting ready. 

And even better if this is a comedy show as a little laugh can instantly transform your mood. 

11. Put your phone down 

It’s crazy how much our phones can impact our mood. 

We’ve all been guilty of this, waking up and reaching for our phones, immediately checking our emails, Facebook, the news, Instagram or whatever it may be. 

And just one negative impression from online content can instantly affect our mood. 

So if you’re feeling crappy about the day ahead, take 10 minutes for a digital detox. Instead, sit and read a book, take a deep breath, have a coffee or sit in the garden. 

12. Cook (and eat) a good breakfast 

We all know that a hearty breakfast is a great way to start the day, but if you love cooking, then this can be a real boost. 

Even if you don’t love to cook, set 10 minutes aside to prepare yourself a tasty (and ideally healthy, though that’s up to you) breakfast. 

You then get the pleasure of sitting down and taking some time out to eat. 

13. Read a chapter of your book 

Are you currently reading a good book? 

Why not pick it up and enjoy a chapter or two over your breakfast, morning coffee or even on your commute? This can take you away from your own life for a moment and give you a chance to unwind and reset. 

14. Pet your pet (or someone else’s) 

When I feel like crap, one thing that is always sure to make me feel better is the company of a furry friend. We have our little whippet, so she is my go-to gal, but I’ll say hello to other people’s dogs, passing cats, even the birds in the garden. 

It’s amazing how quickly you can feel better with the help of a furry friend. 

It’s time to pick yourself up! 

It’s never too late to bring your day back. No matter how late in the day you get started, the point is that you get started. 

And some of these things are so simple, but you’d be amazed at just how quickly they can turn your day around. 

So choose one, choose two or do them all; just try to pick yourself up and get started, otherwise, if you're anything like me, you’ll find yourself in a guilt spiral by about lunchtime, having achieved very little with your day. 

11 'offbeat' self-care ideas

When we talk about practising self-care, we tend to focus on the very clean, very healthy methods that help us look after our well-being.

And sure, these are great and better for you and sometimes these can be exactly what you need. 

In fact, I wrote a blog a while back about how to practise self-care using lots of these very route-one, albeit effective methods.  

But can we be real for a minute? 

We are all human and let's face it, sometimes you don’t want to go for a walk or eat an apple or have a shower. 

Sometimes you need something a little stronger and more effective to cut through and reset your mood. 

So this time around, I thought I’d share 11 offbeat ways you can practise self-care. 

Do something arty 

It doesn’t matter how you choose to be creative and what you enjoy - just do it!

Do you want to paint a picture? Complete a page of your adult colouring book. Make something out of clay? Write a song? Play guitar? 

Then go for it. 

I’ll say it again, it doesn't matter how you choose to express yourself, just simply doing something creative can help to boost your energy and reduce your stress levels. 

Do something you’ve been putting off for a while 

Have you been meaning to clean behind the cooker, tidy the shed or declutter your wardrobe? 

There are lots of little jobs in life that we put off and put off again. I sure know I’m guilty of procrastinating and ignoring those more boring jobs. 

But you’d be surprised how amazing you’ll feel if you just tick one of those things off your list. And most of the time, they don’t actually take as long as you think they will. 

So set aside half an hour and tick something off your to-do list. 

Eat your favourite food 

Whenever you read this sort of guide, the advice tends to be that you should make and eat something healthy to boost your mood. 

While scientifically, this is perhaps the better thing to do. And obviously, it’s better for your long-term health. 

But sometimes a fruit smoothie or hearty salad just won’t cut it. Sometimes, your brain calls for a bacon sandwich, a bowl of pasta or a whole Easter egg. 

Yes, I said it. An Easter egg. I am not ashamed to say that while these are on sale, I will dabble in an egg or two even when it’s not Easter weekend. 

So, why not boost your mood with your favourite food? 

Have a glass of red wine (or your favourite drink) 

On a similar note, a glass of water is always hailed as being a great cure for most things, and that’s because it usually is. But sometimes, you want something more comforting. 

If your favourite drink is a frothy coffee, Kombucha, G&T or in my case, a glass of red wine, then go for it! 

You can sit in the garden, get comfy on the sofa or choose the perfect drink to accompany you in a long hot bath. It’s whatever and wherever you feel best.  

Write something down

I appreciate that not everyone writes lists as obsessively as me, but I find writing things down to be so cathartic. 

Just getting down a list of your thoughts or the tasks you need to complete that day can help to clear your mind. 

But it doesn't have to be a list, there are lots of other ways you can express yourself and feel better through writing. 

Whether it’s a simple list, journal entry, a text message to a loved one, a blog post or maybe even a poem, getting the ideas out of your brain and onto paper (or your device) can work wonders. 

Start a new Pinterest board 

Do you love Pinterest as much as I do?

It’s such a great way to save ideas and find inspiration. It can be perfect for your business or your hobbies, or even just because you love looking at beautiful photographs. 

And it’s a very welcome distraction. In fact, you can lose hours to Pinterest (trust me). 

Starting a new board, looking through and finding exciting new pins can be such a calming exercise. You could even do the same with Instagram or TikTok, scanning through content and saving your favourites to inspire you later. 

Have a bloody good cry 

I’m putting it out there, sometimes you just need a bloody good cry. 

And in those moments, don’t try to stay strong and hide away. Unless you’re in the middle of the supermarket or a meeting, maybe… 

But if not, just let it out. 

Play a game on your phone 

Imagine if 10 quiet minutes on Candy Crush could bring a smile to your face and reset your whole day. 

Well, guess what? It can. 

If you’ve got a game, whether that’s on your phone or a console, it can be an excellent way to blow off some steam, and let's face it, do something meaningless that can bring joy and be a great distraction for a little while. 

Get under the duvet and practise hygge 

Sometimes you just need to get under your cosy warm duvet and take a moment to yourself. 

If you’ve not heard of the concept of hygge, it’s all about being warm and cosy and what better way to do that than from under your duvet? 

Whether you choose to read a book, watch TV, take a nap or simply just lay there with your thoughts, get yourself snuggled up and look after yourself. 

Change your bed sheets

Speaking of cosy blankets, is there anything nicer than getting into a fresh bed with clean sheets and pyjamas? 

It’s definitely one of my favourite self-care moments. So, if you haven't got long but want to treat yourself, think about putting some fresh sheets on the bed, even if you don’t get to enjoy them until the evening. 

You’ll look forward to it all day. 

Watch a stand-up comedy 

The final suggestion on the list is to watch a stand-up comedy or your favourite comedy show. 

Between Netflix and Amazon Prime, there are loads of great stand-ups readily available, but you also have apps like ITV Player and Channel 4 that host loads of comedy series and panel shows. 

So pop on your favourite and laugh yourself happy.