So, when is the last time you can say you honestly had FUN? Not just a nice time, or an enjoyable afternoon, but actual ear to ear grin, endorphin blasting fun? I did an experiment yesterday in the clinic and asked every patient what they were doing for fun these days. Amidst the stress and concern of COVID, elections, job and relationship stress, there has to be room for fun. Right?
9 out of 10 people I asked yesterday what they were currently doing for fun said “nothing”. That’s 90% folks. When I asked them when the last time they HAD fun was, they couldn’t remember. How crazy is that? We work hard all day only to go home, do our “home stuff”, wake up and do it all again. If we don’t add some fun into the mix, what’s the point??
Stress management is an absolutely critical form of self-care. There’s a bit of a “woo woo” stigma attached to self-care but there really shouldn’t be. If we aren’t taking care of ourSELVES, who else will? Having fun is a huge part of self-care to manage stress, lower blood pressure, manage cholesterol and more.
Go find something that actually makes you happy and do it. Not your spouse. Not your kids. Not your friends. You. Ride a bike. Play an instrument. Play a game. Learn a new skill. Read your favorite book again. Its ok. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t get your heart racing for something that makes you feel like a million bucks. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it.
Now go have some fun. I dare you.
