Let’s kick things off with a fun challenge: What brings a real sense of play and excitement to your life?
When was the last time you got a little goofy—in a totally appropriate way—and just had a blast? What kind of fun were you up to?
We often get so busy with work, chores, family duties, and watching negative news. But what if we could tap into the power of adding more fun, humor, and laughter to our everyday lives?
Have you ever stopped to think about the following benefits of humor and play?
Here are a few examples, though this list is far from complete as there are many more.
Boosts emotional well-being:
- Reduces stress, anger, and depression
- Enhances energy, positivity, and overall life satisfaction
Enhances physical well-being:
- Boosts immune system function
- Relaxes muscles
- Improves sleep quality
Improves social well-being:
- Fosters positive communication
- Helps with conflict resolution and management
Supports well-being at work:
- Strengthens team identity, motivation, and positivity
- Boosts job satisfaction
- Reduces burnout and decreases sick days
Enhances mental well-being:
- Improves creativity
- Boosts learning ability
- Enhances problem-solving skills
- Supports brain health
Promotes well-being at home:
- Fosters positivity, family fun, and quality time
- Helps you enjoy the moment, create meaningful memories, and look ahead with anticipation
Some Reflective questions
How do you spark your curiosity through play?
What type of play did you enjoy as a child, and how could you adapt and play it today?
What type of play can also improve your mood and your connection with others?
Which fun games provide you with what you need, such as relaxation, coziness, energy, curiosity, or a challenge?
Smiling, playing and laughter are often contagious. What makes you smile or laugh? Here you find some inspiration but please share with us your funny activities and PLAY it forward.
- Do a rain dance – dance with open arms on the song of Gene Kelly ‘I’m singing in the rain’ –with or without umbrella or with the ladies club: ‘It’s raining men’ from the dynamic Weather Girls.
- Listen to a standup comedian or follow a comedy show together with friends. The British ones are excellent, like Are You Being Served?, 'Allo 'Allo!, and more.
- Watch children playing and join them. Like making paper flowers with them on the beach.
- Play with one of your favorite childhood toys (for me, it's a hula hoop or Jokari, break between one of my coaching sessions, gives me new energy to concentrate on what comes next).
- Have a decluttering day with a friend – it will make you feel "lighter". Make it fun by spotting items to get rid of, and turn it into a competition to see who can find the most!
- Make a playlist with things that make you laugh and forget your to-do list for a moment
- Text flirtatious to your partner as if you are on a first date
- Practice laughter yoga
- Host your own spa party at home: Transform your space into a wellness retreat with soothing scents, candles, and create the atmosphere as if you were visiting a luxurious spa.
- Create an event out of nothing. Find and make any reason to celebrate. This can be ‘I finally cleaned my wardrobe’
- Write a song and sing it to yourself, use your funny words. The songs of ABBA can be inspiring for this exercise.
- Go to a board game café with friends, in Brussels there are a lot of them, always fun!
- Try gamification: take a moment to think about how you can turn your mundane tasks into a game. Fill the dishwasher while standing on one leg is also a good balance exercise.
- Keep funny pictures of a funny time, share them with others and make them visible so that you are reminded to these events.
Sources
O’Brien, & Seydel, A. (2022). The power of play: Optimize your joy potential. LLH Publishing.
Martin, R. A. (2007). The psychology of humor: An integrative approach. Elsevier.