Most of us want to have more fun, it seems that it is not as easy as it used to be. The reasons are many: guilt (because others are not having fun), lack of perceived convenience (because those around us can not have fun) or lack of time (because our commitment to others does not let us have fun). However, science gives an encouraging nod that we need to make time for fun and perhaps we should prioritize it. Since the term “fun” can be ambiguous and is often used in different contexts, let’s first look at the standard definition of the word. The Oxford Dictionary of Current English defines fun as fun, especially animated or playful. By staying true to the definition, we usually connect the word fun with things that are entertaining and enjoyable to do.
Having more fun improves your relationships.
Research shows that when we have fun with others, these experiences have a positive effect on building trust and developing communication. Having fun gives us the opportunity to connect and be creative. When we laugh together, this sends an external non-verbal message that says: “We are equal, we share values” (Everett, 2011). It can also make us seem more vulnerable, but at the same time accessible and friendly, which can help build connections and bonds. Drs. John and Julie Gottmann, relationship experts at the Gottman Research Institute in Seattle, have been studying happy and unhappy couples (and their behavior patterns) in a systematic way. It seems that when we have the ability to create and participate in acts of humor and affection, our conflict resolution skills also improve. These strong links developed with our colleagues have been linked to better performance and productivity (Kansal, Puja and Maheshwari, 2012).
Fun makes us smarter
In part, this has to do with the reduction of stress that occurs when we get involved in something that we enjoy. However, the benefits of fun activities seem to extend beyond that. The British Cohort Study, a study that has followed 17,000 people born in 1970, discovered that reading for fun improves you and our language skills and, more surprisingly, our competence in mathematics as well. It seems that the fun activities that present us with new ideas and concepts encourage self-directed learning. The rewards we get from these experiences could be expanded beyond the obvious benefits. Scientists are now also exploring whether reading for fun can also protect against cognitive decline as we get older.
Fun reduces stress.
You probably do not need science to know this in an inherent way: participating in fun activities can be an especially powerful antidote to stress. It has been recognized in several studies that spontaneous laughter has a stress-reducing effect that helps us cope better with stress. According to one study, people who laughed less had more negative emotions compared to those who laughed more. In contrast, those who laughed showed less negative feelings even when stressful situations increased (Kuiper and Martin, 1998). Interestingly, this same study found that there is no correlation between having a good sense of humor and showing stronger or more intense emotions. It seems that there is some truth in the saying: “laughter is the best medicine”.
Fun can make you more energetic and youthful.
Stress is exhausting, it can take our lives, making us tired and cranky. When we effectively reduce our stress levels, this can often provide us with a new boost of vitality. Have fun and play have traditionally been related to children and the first years of our development. However, many philosophers and psychologists emphasize the importance of the game as we get older. Plato professed that life should be lived as a game, and George Bernard Shaw said: “We do not stop playing because we grow old”. We grow old because we stop playing.
Conclusion
Having fun at work can be as important as having fun in your personal life. There are many factors that contribute to job satisfaction, which logically also relate to overall satisfaction with life. When we can laugh and have fun at work, we can also establish better relationships and help create connections with our co-workers.
Fun Engine 