FUN!!!
When was the last time you had fun? I mean REALLY had fun? Had a good old belly laugh, forgot to check your phone or lost track of time?
Part of the self-care coaching that I do speaks to the importance of planning and including fun. Many people scoff at the idea of this being an important component of self-care, BUT when we explore the idea further, we realize it must be part of our plan.
First, let’s recognize that other wellness modalities stress the importance of planning enjoyable activities. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for example, stresses the importance of increasing pleasant activities as part of managing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Having things to look forward to and engaging in activities that you enjoy, are crucial to your mental health.
Second, let’s think about what happens when we laugh: stress is better managed, our brains release some of those “feel good chemicals”, there’s possible improvement of our immune system, just to name a few. (Read more: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456 )
Now, let’s move forward with adding fun to your routine. For some of us, its been a very long time since we had fun. And, maybe what you once did for fun, no longer suits or interests you, so you need to find another idea.
Where to begin? Let me ask you:
-when was the last time you remember having fun?
-what were you doing?
-who were you with?
-what made it so much fun?
-how did you feel before? during? after?
-what have you always wanted to try? why didn’t you? is it possible now?
So, have you discovered a few ideas? Have you discovered anything else?
Well, if you’ve discovered or rekindled some ideas, awesome! What next? Get planning. Yes, sometimes things happen spontaneously. And sometimes (especially given Covid restrictions) things take more effort to plan. That effort is totally worth it. Get planning!!
And to my other question above, “have you discovered anything else?”……when we dig deeper, sometimes we realize that the reason we’re not having fun is something like: “I don’t have anyone to have fun with”, or “I believe that I must have millions of dollars to really have fun”.
To me, this is where the magic of coaching is found. Really getting to the heart of what is holding us back AND THEN (and this is key) working through those limiting beliefs (we DO NOT need money to have fun…..have you ever seen a kid with a cardboard box??). Or, for example, we can strategize around how we can begin to connect with others to create new relationships.
So, what are you going to plan for your next bit of fun?
For more tools to build a foolproof, actionable self-care plan, you can check out my online learning platform: Self-Care, from Crisis to Success here: https://educationbydeannalangfordcoaching.thinkific.com/
And please feel free to share your fun ideas!
Stay well friends,
Deanna