Something I may ask you when you work with me 1-on-1 is: “What are you doing for fun this week?” 

And you may reply (or think), “I don’t know – I don’t have time to have fun” or “I’m not really sure what it means to have fun.”

I’m not picking on you, only pointing out something you have the ability to do, you just don’t know it yet.

Perhaps you believe that “being” and “having fun” are for those people who have more money or time on their hands (hint: it has nothing to do with time or money, only your beliefs about them).

Guess what? You can have fun too. In fact, I’m going to demand you have fun (isn’t that an oxymoron to say?). Really, fun is equally as important as “doing.” 

Getting a degree in Recreation Administration 20 years ago taught me the importance of play and having fun. Recreation actually means “to recreate yourself.” When you recreate, you connect with yourself, restore, and re-energize. You NEED THIS.

When you allow yourself to have fun, you’ll find you actually have more energy, focus, and joy in other parts of your life. 

Here’s how to add or have more fun in your day:

1. Give yourself permission to have fun. If, in your mind, you believe you don’t have time to have fun, you are coming from a lacking mindset. Because, in your mind, “If I don’t get XYZ done, I won’t be productive, and if I’m not productive, others will judge me (or I’ll judge myself), and if others judge me, then I won’t be liked/loved…” It’s time to get out of this way of thinking.
    
2. Turn off your technology. Yes, I’m talking about your cell phone, computer, ipad, or whatever fruitberry device you have that distracts you from being present with the moment. When you play or have fun, do it 100%.
    
3. Choose something you LOVE to do (or maybe it’s something new you haven’t done before). Something where you can’t imagine being anywhere else when you’re doing it or in it. For me, something in the summer that I absolutely love doing is dancing outside to a live band. I have that little kid feeling in me, bouncing around, singing, clapping, screaming – it’s totally and completely FUN.
    
4. Ask a friend to join you in it (this does not mean you can’t have fun by yourself, it just amplifies your fun!). When I dance outside to a live band with a friend next to me, we egg each other on. We experience it even more because we have someone to share it with (this can include children too).
    
5. Finally, make having fun a priority. Fun and recreation is part of living a balanced life. It’s been a part of every culture for thousands of years for a reason. If you make it equally as important as cooking a meal, going to work, or “getting stuff done,” I promise you’ll have more energy, laughter, joy, and contentment in the short run and the long run!

Categories: Health & Happiness