As the end of the year approaches, there are many more opportunities for gatherings, end-of-year parties, celebrations, and family festivities. There are plenty of moments for laughter, hugs, and fun. As humans, we are naturally wired for connection; therefore, enjoying the company of others is reported by researchers to be highly beneficial for our mental health.
It’s no secret that having fun and laughing can reduce mental health struggles and improve your overall sense of well-being, create satisfying relationships, and uplifts your outlook in life, becoming more optimistic and positive.
Laughter has been clinically proven to have an intrinsic power to reduce stress, improve mood, boost immunity, protect against heart disease, relax muscles, relieve pain, increase self-esteem, help combat depression, foster creativity, develop resilience skills, improve sleep, reduce pain, and even improve communication. It is also thought to have a beneficial effect on the brain by releasing endorphins that create feelings of happiness and contentment.
You may be thinking, how does it work? Well, laughter has long been known as the best medicine. Studies have shown that when you laugh, endorphins are released in the brain, which helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, leaving you feeling relaxed and happy.
and while laughing is healthy, having fun is also essential; having fun isn’t just about playing around; it’s about connecting with others emotionally.
Having fun or being playful as an adult helps us develop meaningful relationships with those around us. Having fun is about being in the moment with others or just yourself. It places us in a state of flow; exploring new things; learning from our mistakes; finding joy in the little things; appreciating life’s beauty; finding humour in situations; allowing yourself to be silly at times; letting go of control; cultivating mindfulness; listening to your intuition; trusting yourself to take risks while knowing when it’s time to back off—all while remaining mindful that everyone needs restorative downtime too. Fun activities can also stimulate new ideas that may help solve problems or give us new perspectives on life. Fun can help build stronger relationships with those around you and create positive experiences that stay with us forever.
Being in a state of flow, where we are completely absorbed by whatever we are doing now, reduces stress levels significantly. Above all else, having fun helps us stay grounded in the present moment by allowing us to forget our worries for a little while. When we engage in activities that will enable us to enter a state of flow—where everything else fades away while all our attention is on the task at hand—we experience an intense kind of joy that comes from being immersed in an activity or hobby that you love doing; producing profound feelings of pleasure which can promote positive psychological growth over time.
Fun can also be found in the play, we often think of play as something that is only for children, but adults need play just as much as kids do. Playing helps us connect with our inner child and reconnect with our sense of joy and creativity. When we engage in playful activities like sports or games, we get out of our heads and into our bodies, where we can experience a sense of freedom and connection with others. Play also helps us reduce stress and increase relaxation because it allows us to take a break from our everyday worries and focus on enjoying ourselves.
Now that we know why fun, playing and laughing are beneficial for our mental health, let’s consider some ways to bring more of it into our lives! Firstly, try incorporating more playtime into your daily routine–whether taking regular breaks throughout the day or engaging in activities like playing games or watching funny videos online. Secondly, focus on developing meaningful relationships with those around you – this could be through spending quality time together or simply engaging in conversations with friends over coffee or dinner dates! Finally, practice self-care by doing things that make you feel good such as taking a yoga class, going for a walk outdoors, or doing what you love most that place you in a state of flow – these simple acts can do wonders for your overall well-being.
In conclusion, bringing more fun and laughter into your life has many incredible benefits. As a psychologist, I sometimes use humour in some sessions and leave homework tasks to my clients to engage in fun and playful activities. It boosts energy when they need it most and strengthens relationships with others while improving their physical and mental health over time.
Making time for play throughout the week will ensure you keep yourself healthy while enjoying all the benefits of laughing regularly! Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, remember to take some time out and practice some of the above. And give yourself a break from the responsibilities because you and your mind deserve it.
