Winter Preparation - Having Fun

How long is it since you did something just for the fun of it? 

Having fun helps us ward off anxiety and depression.  My research on this subject tells me many of us habitually hold ourselves back from having fun, for a variety of reasons.  Can you identify with any of these?

‘I just don’t think about it, it’s not part of my routine.’

‘I would be afraid of feeling embarrassed.’

‘I’m not allowed to have fun; there is too much work to do and not enough time.’

‘My colleagues, partner, parent would not approve of me doing something just for the fun of it.’

‘I would feel self-indulgent and guilty.’

Well I certainly can identify with some of these,  I have bookshelves of creative hobby books that I’ve never read,  I have drawers full of beads and bric-a-brac waiting to become something, I have palettes, easels , empty canvasses and boxes of oil and water paints going dry.  I have sketch books and charcoals and pencils unused.  And I have made no time for fun.

Mid-winter can be a particularly depressing time.   This must be the right time to plan some space for fun.  Our need for self-improvement is part of human nature.  Having fun is another human need that many of us neglect.

The National Institute for Play http://www.nifplay.org explains why play is so important to our personal health and wellbeing:

‘Play is the gateway to vitality.

By its nature it is uniquely and intrinsically rewarding. It generates optimism, seeks out novelty, makes perseverance fun, leads to mastery, gives the immune system a bounce, fosters empathy and promotes a sense of belonging and community. Each of these play by-products are indices of personal health, and their shortage predicts impending health problems and personal fragility.

A life or a culture devoid of or deficient in play exists as a heightened major public health risk factor. The prevalence of depression, stress related diseases, interpersonal violence, the addictions, and other health and well-being problems can be linked, like a deficiency disease, to the prolonged deprivation of play.’

I realise that play cannot be forced and needs the element of spontaneity to benefit us so how can we make it happen?  If we don’t search out the space for it in our lives then we are left with just waiting for it to come along by chance.

Whilst I am immersed in the development of my seasonal coaching sessions I realise that I have fallen into the trap of not having any fun.  So I have now written down what constitutes ‘fun’ for me. 

Why don’t you give it a go and write down what activities would constitute having fun for you?  These can include; body play and movement, object play, social play, imaginative and pretend play, storytelling-Narrative play and transformative-integrative and creative play.  For ideas and a greater understanding of these types of play visit http://www.nifplay.org.

While the dark evenings persist, I shall now endeavour to practice what I preach and finally get out my paints and have some fun.  And I feel sure, if I let my imagination run riot, I can think of much more exciting things that I can have fun with!

For one to one Skype coaching sessions contact Susan on susan@susanloveday.com or visit www.susanloveday.com  for more information.