Fun Day

“HAVE A FUN DAY!”

The other day, my daughter’s school principal wished me a “fun day.” I thought that was a perfect wish, especially for parents of young children. I am always wishing people enjoyment or a peaceful day or similar, and although we could all benefit from more enjoyment or peace in our day, this greeting carries an expectation with it that may be hard to meet on some days. That’s why I love this idea of wishing someone a ‘fun day.’

As we all likely know, ‘fun’ or play is important for children’s well-being and learning. Happiness research experts contend that play is important for adult’s well-being too. As prominent Mindfulness expert, Dr. Dan Siegel, writes, “Throughout the lifespan, play supports neurological growth and development while building complex, skilled, flexible, responsive, and socially adept brains. Play also improves the natural ability to convey emotions.”

It is a good way for us to connect with our children as well. Playful Parenting author, Dr. Larry Cohen, tells us how to incorporate play into our daily parenting. His methods not only make sense given children’s natural propensity for play, but they also can turn unpleasant, draining parenting situations (e.g., dealing with fighting, whining, and nagging) into playful, fun experiences for both parents and children (e.g., grab a pillow and start a pillow fight if your kids are arguing; instead of yelling at or nagging children to follow through on routines, you can pretend to be the routine ogre who gets weaker when kids brush their teeth, put on clothes/PJs, etc.; be dinosaurs eating broccoli ‘trees;’ see who can walk the silliest on the way to school; set up a basketball net above the laundry basket, etc.).

However, the play or ‘fun’ doesn’t have to be child-oriented play or a way to make daunting tasks more enjoyable. It can also be anything that is not “instrumental” (i.e., required professional work or house work) and is fun for you, makes you laugh, brings you joy in the moment or re-energizes you. For example, belt out or dance along to your favorite song; buy different types of chocolate and sample each of them; step outside and let the sun soak into your skin, pretending like you are at the beach; swing on the swing or balance on the log you pass by on your routine run; do a few of your favorite yoga poses just for fun. Dr. Christine Carter, happiness expert and author of Raising Happiness and The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less, tells us this in her latter book. She notes that we are not only happier but also more productive when we take a break every day, actually every 60-90 minutes, to rest or “play a whole lot more.”  She points out, “We can take a school day approach to life, in which we work and learn and produce and create in predictable periods of play and rest and recovery. As in school, we take recess.” We can then “turn exhaustion or anxiety into productive and creative energy.”

So, as my daughter’s principal wished, “Have a fun day!”