Fun, Why We Should All Have Some Everyday

Fun – It’s a funny little word that a lot of people seem to think is not all that important to us as human beings, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Having fun does a lot for us as people on SO many levels….physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Physically, having fun is a great stress reliever, whether it’s just running around like a nut with a friend at the park or spending time at the movies, having fun REDUCES STRESS LEVELS, and stress can cause a plethora of serious medical issues:

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms
Cognitive Symptoms	Emotional Symptoms
Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying	Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms	Behavioral Symptoms
Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Loss of sex drive Frequent colds	Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

And, you may not even realize that you are displaying some of these symptoms until it is too late. If you are showing or think you are displaying any of these symptoms, you should get out with someone and have some fun!

Understanding Stress Symptoms

Emotionally, we are all social animals and we need to be around others(whether we think so or not). Having fun engages us with others, allows us to display parts of ourselves that we keep cooped up inside when we’re at work. This engagement allows us to bleed off emotional stress(even more insidious than physical stress, we often don’t realize this is effecting us). Whether you are at a party or just sitting in a diner talking with a good friend, this is a critical part of who we are, social engagement.

Signs of Stress

Signs of stress include:

• Apathy, lack of energy
• Difficulty making decisions
• Difficulty “keeping track” of things
• Feeling on edge
• A change in eating habits
• Sleeping more than usual or difficulty getting to sleep
• Being more emotional
• Using alcohol or drugs to relieve or forget stress

Symptoms of stress

Symptoms of stress include:

• Chronic back pain
• Tension headaches
• Neck pain
• Gastrointestinal problems (pain, diarrhea)
• Palpitations

Emotional Well Being

Spinoza once said;

“Mind and body are one and the same individual which is conceived now under the attribute of thought, and now under the attribute of extension”.

And from a psychological viewpoint the first portion of that statement fits with my point, when your body is having fun it engages the mind, releases restrained energies, releases beneficial endorphins, reduces anxiety and fear, and it improves your view of who you are and what you are capable of doing.

       Mental Health Benefits:

• Adds joy and zest to life
• Eases anxiety and fear
• Relieves stress
• Improves mood
• Enhances resilience

Laughter is The Best Medicine

So, dare you ask what kind of fun should you be having……doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter if you are going to a party or just spending the night out with one friend. Of course you shouldn’t have TOO much fun, you should be able to balance fun with responsibility. It can be fun sometimes to spend time alone, but spending to much time alone having fun does not provide the social engagement that we all need, so spend time with people outside of work.

Work can be fun, work may be fun, but you should always have a life outside of work and it should be fun, whether it is spent with a; husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, partner, friends, kids, or family….work is work, fun is fun.
GO OUT AND HAVE SOME TODAY!!!!!!!!

Emotional Well Being. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/stress_management/hic_warning_signs_of_emotional_stress_when_to_see_your_doctor.aspx

Kemp, G., Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2012, June). Laughter Is The Best Medicine. Retrieved from Help Guide: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

Smtih, M., Segal, R., & Segal, J. (2012, July). Understanding Stress Symptoms. Retrieved from Help Guide: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm