Are We Having Fun Yet?

The definition of fun, from the Urban Dictionary: “Clearly something that you aren’t having if you're searching it on here.”

When was the last time you had fun? I mean, really had fun? Americans seem to have a fascination with fun and the name pops up in everything from advertising to hit songs to lists of things:

• Do blondes have more fun? (Clairol TV commercials from the 1960’s)
• “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (Cyndi Lauper’s classic pop song)
• “Fun with Dick & Jane” (2005 movie with Jim Carey)
• “Hot Fun in the Summertime” (1969 hit by Sly & the Family Stone)
• “Look at me! Look at me NOW! It is fun to have fun. But you have to know how. (From “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss)
• Fun facts, fun run, fun in the sun…well, you get the idea!

For many of us though, these last few years of lockdowns, sickness, and work disruptions have diminished our desire to do things that give us pleasure and are joyful. Yet study after study shows how important fun is to both our mental and physical well-being. 

Our two sons love to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, sometimes four or five times a day. Fortunately they have parachutes on and they consider this fun. Others might look at it as a terrifying nightmare. But the fact is, when we do things we enjoy, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger. Dopamine increases motivation, your enjoyment of learning, and can improve your mood, too.

Additionally, genetics research has shown our fun preferences seem to be inborn and are things we’ve enjoyed all our lives, but often change as we age. A 20-year old might have fun jumping into the ocean off a 50’ cliff while a 70-year old might get the same pleasure playing bingo (B45 anyone? Anyone??). The key is to continue doing things that are fun for us, no matter how young or old we are. Physical activity, singing, dancing, and laughter all pump dopamine into our brains and serve as a reminder of those things that are fun and bring us joy. 

Sadly, some people look at fun as frivolous, something that detracts from the seriousness of life. Ironically, a large-scale study of Norwegians found a sense of humor keeps people healthy and may also help increase how long we live. 

If you’re struggling to up your fun game, think back to what’s always brought a smile to your face. For some it's a physical workout, for others the joy of cooking, playing games with friends, learning a new skill, being spontaneous, going to an amusement park, or traveling to new places. The list of fun activities is infinite and totally different for each of us.

I’m pretty easy when it comes to having fun and do it as often as possible especially with my wife, our family, and friends. I love to write and had a lot of fun researching and writing this article. My hope is you had fun reading it as well! Time will tell.