49. Three reasons to have more fun
Too stressed to have fun? That may be the most important time to do something enjoyable to give your nervous system a break from the escalating anxiety. Here are 3 more reasons to have fun.
Data point of the week
Fun facts about fun:
Fun acts like social glue. When you have fun with someone, your time together is more enjoyable, which increases relationship satisfaction.
Having fun at work predicts higher job satisfaction and lower employee burnout and turnover.
Tip: In terms of the fun-o-meter:
Having fun alone is the least fun.
Having fun with a stranger is more fun (we’ll call it mid-range).
Having fun with a friend—or someone you’re close with—is the most fun.
Reflection
Have you ever watched The Shining? I don’t typically watch horror movies (because they scare the crap out of me), but somehow saw this one when I was young (and impressionable). The “All work and no play…” scene has stuck with me 30 years later.
Despite the warning, my M.O. tends to be work, work, work, and very little play. There’s constant internal pressure to “be productive” and get things done. Fun is meant to be the reward that comes after the To Do list is done … which is never! Fun, relaxation, enjoyment is the perpetual carrot on a stick, always in the future. Can you relate?
Also, I’m not very good at fun. For example, when my partner wants to do something fun, I might counter with something like, “What about mowing the lawn?” 😬
I’m trying to shift my mindset to expand the definition of “being productive” to include doing things of value. For example, playing tennis is valuable because it gets me moving (important to health!) and is social (important to everything!), and FUN. Connection, rest, fun, may all be a more valuable way to spend time than accomplishing a task.
It’s a work in progress.
Connection Skill & Action Step: Have Fun!
Reflect on what’s fun for you. If you get stuck, ask other people what they do for fun or look online for inspiration.
Make a fun list. Include things you already enjoy and ideas for new things to try. You can keep adding to your list and editing it over time. Refer to it anytime you need FUNspiration.
Pick one activity from your list to do this week.
Find a fun buddy. Who do you know who might also enjoy doing the activity you chose?
If you feel you don’t have time for fun, or feel guilty about prioritizing fun over productivity, remind yourself that fun has value.
Questions (Please share your responses in the comments):
What do you like to do for fun?
What’s one of most fun things you’ve ever done?
