Prompted by a recent visit to the cinema to see Bridget Jones, All About The Boy, I started to ponder on the notion of fun. The film took me back a couple of decades when I was travelling the world, working hard of course, but playing even harder. Together with my partners in crime (not mentioning any names, you know who you are!) I had such a lot of fun. All of it spontaneous, totally innocent, and so good for the soul.
Watching the film, I realised that, while my life is enjoyable in so many ways, it’s perhaps missing a bit of sparkle. It is a little too ‘grown up’. That, combined with events on the world stage, mean that a good dose of real fun would not go amiss right now. What’s more, it is well within my power to make it happen. It’s been a timely wake up call.
As I started to look into the concept of having fun, I found that it is already well researched. Psychologists have long known that there are an inordinate amount of benefits for both our mental and physical health.
Fun: the benefits
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Positive emotions : fun generates positive emotions like joy and excitement. It is uplifting and energising.
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Cognitive benefits: fun activities often engage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This can boost cognitive flexibility and enhance learning, making it a valuable tool for mental development and resilience.
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Stress reduction: fun helps lower stress hormones, like cortisol, and triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine. It helps us be more present, and to offload the burden of every day life.
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Building relationships: it strengthens bonds between people, fostering cooperation, empathy, and trust. They are all essential for emotional support and mental health.
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Therapeutic value: play and fun are often used in therapeutic settings, especially with those facing trauma. Play therapy, for example, allows people to express emotions and process experiences in a safe, non-threatening way.
What is fun and how to get more of it?
Having interviewed many people about their most fun memories, psychologist Catherine Price suggests that, while their stories are all different, there are 3 ingredients that always feature:
1. Flow – effortless involvement, being fully immersed and focused on an activity such that you lose track of time.
2. Connection – usually a shared experience with others, but can also be a greater connection with yourself.
8. Playfulness – having a light hearted attitude and enjoying spontaneous activities for no other reason than enjoyment.
According to Ms Price, it is those very same principles that hold the key to getting more fun in our lives:
- Get in flow by removing distractions, the biggest one being our phones.
- Build connection by engaging with those around you. Open up, smile, talk to strangers.
- Incorporate playfulness into your life by breaking the rules of ‘responsible adulthood’ and finding opportunities to rebel and do the unexpected. (My personal favourite!!)
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, PRIORITISE it. Take the time to establish what real fun means to you and make sure it happens – regularly!
Yes so true. With the sunshine at last it will help. I now feel spring is on the way the crocus and daffodils are out bringing a smile to everyone’s faces. Thank you Lindsay
Yes how lucky have we been this week! Nature is a wonderful thing.
Absolutely, spot on, Lindsay! This blog resonated so much for me, just when I was feeling very helpless and bewildered by world events. Nothing like a bit of introspection and reminder of how joyful life can be to re-energise and refocus on what is important. Thank you so much!
Glad it hit the spot Lorraine. Important I think, to have those techniques to manage the mind rather than to let it run the show.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Spot on Lindsey. And thank you for the reminder…..now, what shall I go and do next?!
First stop St Lucia..??!! Gros Islet Friday night jump up??!