Am I imagining it, or did we have an easier, more natural relationship with fun in years past? Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic days and, as you remember those simpler times, can you feel the tension lifting across your shoulders and the corners of your mouth curling upwards into a carefree smile? Admittedly, I have no research data to back me up, however, I suspect there’s a collective need to reboot the fun centres in our brains. Are you with me?

Fun isn’t an indulgence

Having fun reduces stress, improves sleep, boosts energy levels, reduces loneliness and depression, and gives you more energy, amongst other things. We know this instinctively; however, like many good habits, when we stop doing something, even something that makes us feel good, there can be some resistance to getting back into it.

You do you

You might love going to art galleries but the mere thought of going to a football match drains all the life force from your body. Within the busy life you probably have, it’s important to ensure that you make your free time really count. In fact, carving out more time for fun might require doing less of the things you don’t like, to free up the necessary space in your day. It may also take a bit of reflection on what really brings you joy. Reflect on what makes ‘time fly’ and has you absorbed in the moment and feeling enlivened.

What’s fun can change

Maybe you used to love rock climbing, but you’ve now developed a fear of heights. It’s only natural that what feels like fun can change over time. So ‘go back to the well’ and revisit an activity that has previously brought you joy, but if it’s no longer lighting you up, then perhaps it’s time to try something new.

Schedule it

It may seem like the perfect way to kill the vibe but considering the busy lives we lead, you might just have to put ‘time for fun’ in the diary to make sure it happens. Of course, spontaneity is its own kind of wonderful and is definitely a kindred spirit of fun, however, let’s start with locking in the fun, then you can work on the confidence to make it up as you go along.