How can I make my Apple Watch always play music/podcasts to my AirPods?

Hi -

Every day, I go on a walk, listening to music or podcast on my Apple Watch, using my AirPods.

Every single day, when I first put the AirPods in my ears, and go to (for example) Podcasts app on my Apple Watch, it defaults to playing audio to either my HomePod in my kitchen, or to/through my iPhone.

In order to change this, I need to click the little icon on the top-right of the watch screen, choose AirPlay, scroll down to the end of the list, then choose Control other Speakers (or whatever it’s called), then I can select Apple Watch.

Is there a quicker/easier way to switch the audio output? Is there a way to make my Apple Watch *always* just play directly to my AirPods/ignore my HomePod? This is really annoying.