How to Have More Fun
I’ve been having a lot of fun this summer. Actually, I’ve been having fun all year. Ever since I went on social media earlier this year and proudly declared my intention to have more fun, I have been on a mission to play. Life is an adventure, meant to be embraced with laughter, excitement, and joy. But many of us get so caught up in our daily obligations, we forget to prioritize play and just have fun. By shifting my mindset and using a few simple strategies, I am discovering how I can inject more fun into my life, every day.
I inherently know that having fun, feels good. But there are plenty of reasons why I don’t have more of it. Working, being a parent, managing a household and fulfilling other obligations, can leave little time or energy for leisure activities. Even when I have the time and energy, it can be difficult to detach from those obligations and prioritize play. When I was a practicing physician high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout contributed to a lack of motivation or energy to engage in play. And, I have a tendency toward perfectionism and high self-imposed expectations. In that kind of work-centric mindset, play and leisure activities might be considered unproductive or even indulgent. For most of us, I think the biggest reason we don’t play is that we simply don’t value play and having fun as much as we value other things. And because we don’t place a high value on fun, we don’t prioritize it within our lives.
Play Matters
Play is crucial! It increases overall well-being and life satisfaction. Play not only provides a temporary escape from the pressures of daily life; it can help reduce stress and improve mental health, through the release of endorphins, our natural mood-boosting chemicals. Play combats anxiety and depression by promoting positive emotions, reducing negative thoughts, and increasing overall happiness. And play is great for the brain. It can enhance creativity and productivity. It allows the brain to relax, recharge, and generate new ideas. It encourages a flexible mindset, enhances problem-solving abilities, and can lead to more innovative thinking. Certain kinds of play can even boost memory, attention span, and critical thinking abilities.
The benefits of play don’t end there. Play helps us strengthen relationships and build social connections; it promotes bonding, trust, and camaraderie and can improve communication skills, empathy, and cooperation. And it’s likely no surprise that play has physical health benefits since playful activities often involve physical movement, such as sports, dancing, or hiking. We know that regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, boosts energy levels, and strengthens muscles and bones. So, engaging in fun physical activities is a great way to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Fun is a Mindset
I began my quest for fun the way I begin all my endeavors, with a decision and a commitment. I decided I wanted to spend more time playing and doing fun things. And I committed to making it happen. Next, I shared that commitment with others. There is good evidence that we are more likely to follow through on something if we share our intention with others. The simple acts of deciding, making a commitment and sharing my intention put play and fun, front-and-center in my thoughts.
Ever since, I am constantly asking myself how I can have more fun. “How can I find more time to play and have fun? What can I do to have fun? How can I make this more fun?” In fact, I apply this last question to almost any single activity I’m doing whether it’s work, laundry, feeding the dogs, facing a toddler meltdown- “How can I make this fun?” Just asking this question all day long has changed my life. I’m basically always looking for opportunities to have fun, opportunities to play.
Since I’m always looking, I see things that I might not otherwise have seen; I consider things I might otherwise not have considered. If my first thought is “I’m not really interested in that” my second thought is, “but it might be fun?” I get curious and curiosity is like fuel on the fire for me. Once I’m curious, I must know. “Is it fun?” And the only way to find out is to give it a try. And, if I try something, believing that it will be fun or even that it might be fun, I’m almost guaranteed to have fun. You see, the fun comes first. I decide to have fun and then, that’s exactly what happens.
Embrace Playfulness
My son has helped me rediscover my inner child and cultivate a more playful spirit. Just watching him play reminds me that joy can be found in even the simplest things. And playing with him, has reminded me of the wonders of the imagination, and what it feels like to just play, be silly and have fun. When we are young, our playful spirit is the default state. But as we get older, we lose touch with this side of ourselves. We may even actively choose to shut it down. We begin to think that play is a waste of time. We feel embarrassed about behaving in a way that might appear immature or inappropriate. And ultimately, we miss out on what playfulness has to offer. By allowing myself to let go of inhibitions and instead embrace playfulness, I experience the pure joy of playing and having fun.
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Cultivate Connections
Connecting with family, friends and colleagues is fun to me. And having fun together strengthens our connections. I have also found that fun is often amplified when shared with others. As a recent example, I spent the day at an amusement park with my extended family. My son is finally tall enough to ride some roller coasters. There is this one roller coaster that’s not particularly tall or fast or intense by my standards. If my son wasn’t with me, I would have skipped it because I would not have had much fun. But I decided to ride this roller coast with my son and 10 other family members. And it was the ride I had the most fun on all day because it was a shared experience. Playing and having fun together creates bonds and memories that are cherished for a lifetime.
Embrace Novelty and Adventure
Injecting some novelty and adventure into our lives can reignite the spark of excitement and create a sense of fun. I love to try new things, visit new places, and challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone. I love to travel because travel always brings the possibility of new adventures. Even when I’m traveling to familiar places, I am always seeking out new things to see and do. And we never really know what lies on the other side of trying something new. Years ago, at the age of 30, I signed up for a ballet class. I needed to get some exercise. I was also looking for a hobby and dancing seemed like something I would enjoy. A few years later, I walked into my current dance studio for my first class with what has become my dance family. I was nervous. I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t sure I belonged there, especially since the class included styles of dance I hadn’t done since I was 7 years old. I’m so thankful I had the courage to walk into that room and give it a try. I’ve had a lot of fun dancing over the last 14 years.
Practice Mindfulness
My mind tends to preoccupy itself with worries, anxieties, and the pressures of life, which can distract me from enjoying the present moment. Sometimes, I try to play or do something fun, but my mind is somewhere else when I’m doing it. I’m not conscious of the fact that I’m playing, and I don’t really feel like I’m having fun. I don’t reap the full benefits of play because I’m not present. Being mindful while having fun, enhances the experiences. It may sound silly, but I make it a point to say out loud, “This is really fun”. It brings my full awareness to what I’m doing and the experience I am having. Practicing mindfulness in my daily life, helps me cultivate awareness, bring my attention back to the present, and remain fully engaged in the experiences that bring me joy. I take time each day for reflection, meditation, or even just a few deep breaths to ground myself in the present. By training my mind to be fully present, I am more able to see the beauty and fun that lies in every moment.
Having more fun is not a luxury; it's an essential ingredient for a fulfilling life. By adopting a mindset that prioritizes play and fun, I have ensured that I will experience more of it. Fun can be found in the simplest of moments if we look for it and allow ourselves to experience it. Embracing a playful spirit, connecting with others through play, seeking adventure and practicing mindfulness are the strategies that allow me to fully experience the amazing benefits of play and to make sure I’m having plenty of fun.
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