How to Make Fun a Priority in Your Life and Work

We all know the importance of productivity and hard work when it comes to achieving our goals, but how often do we prioritise having fun? 

How to Make Fun a Priority in Your Life and Work
Two joyful friends, one blonde and one with curly hair, are laughing and drinking beverages outdoors at night under string lights.

We all know the importance of productivity and hard work when it comes to achieving our goals, but how often do we prioritise having fun?

Incorporating fun into our life and work can have a massively positive impact on our mental health, creativity, and productivity. It's easy to overlook the value of fun, especially when we're busy and stressed. However, studies have shown that making time for fun activities can increase happiness, relieve stress, and promote overall well-being.

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of making fun a priority and share actionable steps to help you incorporate more fun into your life and work. Whether you're a busy professional, student, or anyone else dealing with the stresses of life, this post will provide you with valuable insights on how to make fun a priority and maximise your potential.

Two people are enjoying themselves by playing mini-table football.

Benefits of Having Fun

When we prioritise fun, we give ourselves permission to step away from our regular routines and engage in an activity that brings us joy.

This experience is especially beneficial for those who work long hours on tedious projects. Taking regular breaks for fun activities can help us break out of a rut, refresh our minds, and give us the energy to approach our work with renewed vigour. Making fun a priority at work may even lead to better collaboration among coworkers as they engage in activities that bring out their playful side.

Making fun a priority in life can have significant mental health benefits in addition to improving productivity. When we engage in enjoyable activities, our brains release endorphins, neurotransmitters that cause positive emotions such as happiness, calmness, and contentment. These neurotransmitters not only temporarily improve our moods, but they may also reduce stress levels over time by providing us with an emotional outlet when faced with difficult situations or difficult tasks.

We may become more resilient to stress by engaging in activities that bring us pleasure and joy over time as our bodies learn to respond better to adverse events.

Making fun a priority can also help us improve our relationships with loved ones by allowing us to connect with others and strengthen our bonds. Spending time together playing games, listening to music, or simply laughing can help create lasting memories that will bring people closer together.

Two friends lean up against a car, share a pair of headphones, and listen to music together.

Identify what you find fun

Identifying and engaging in activities that bring joy into our lives helps us relax and recharge so we can tackle life’s challenges with renewed energy.

Here are some pointers to help you figure out what will bring you joy and fulfilment:

  • Think back to what you enjoyed as a child. Were there any activities you loved as a child that you haven't done in a while? Revisiting these activities can bring back happy memories and ignite the joy and pleasure you experienced when you were younger.
  • Try new things. Trying new things is a fantastic way to figure out what you find fun. It's an opportunity to explore new hobbies, meet new people, and step outside of your comfort zone. Take a class, join a club, or attend an event in your community to try something new.
  • Pay attention to what brings you joy. Take note of the activities that make you feel happiest and most fulfilled. Is it spending time with loved ones? Engaging in a creative pursuit? Exploring the outdoors? Use this information to guide your decision-making and planning.

By taking the time to figure out what activities you find fun, you can make sure that you're spending your time and energy on things that bring you joy and fulfilment.

Football is being played by a group of young children.

Schedule time for fun

One of the best ways to make fun a priority is by scheduling it into your day-to-day routine.

Creating a schedule that intentionally includes time for leisure activities allows you to make sure you are taking care of yourself and having some much-needed "me time." This can look different for everyone but could include going for a walk around the block, cooking something new, reading a book, listening to music, doing an at-home fitness class, or playing with the kids outdoors.

When creating your schedule, try dedicating certain times throughout the week or month specifically to leisure activities so they don’t get put off or forgotten about in favour of other tasks. This way, you’ll have something to look forward to and can make sure that some fun is part of your day.

It’s important to remember that taking time out from work doesn’t mean you are being unproductive; rather, it can help increase productivity as it gives you a chance to recharge and refocus before continuing with what needs to be done. Creating time for fun not only helps keep stress levels low but also improves creative thinking, which is essential when tackling complex problems at work or home.

While making fun a priority may seem like an impossible task while working full-time or juggling family commitments, it is vital in order to maintain balance in both our lives and our careers. By adding intentional leisure activities to our daily schedules, we can still accomplish great things while taking care of ourselves along the way.

Incorporate fun into your work.

Incorporating fun into your daily routine can be a great way to boost productivity, morale, and creativity while also improving relationships with colleagues, clients, and peers.

Here are some tips on how to make fun a priority:

  • Identify fun opportunities. The first step in making fun a priority is identifying opportunities for fun activities at work. Look around you and ask yourself: What kind of activities would really lift your team’s spirits? This could be anything from an afternoon bowling outing or having lunch together at a local restaurant to bringing in an outside speaker or organising an office game night. There are so many possibilities that can help bring people closer together while still getting the job done.
  • Plan ahead. Once you've identified potential activities, it's important to plan ahead so that everyone has ample time to prepare for the event or activity. Whether it's creating agendas for meetings, planning out tasks for the day, or scheduling dates for team outings, being mindful of deadlines and having a plan will ensure that everyone is on the same page throughout any project or event.
  • Involve Everyone. To maximise team morale and productivity, make sure to involve everyone in all aspects of the planning process, from brainstorming ideas to setting up events. Allowing everyone's voice to be heard will create stronger bonds between co-workers who can rely on each other in times of need. Additionally, involving everyone will ensure that all team members are comfortable with whatever activity you end up deciding on!
  • Make it enjoyable. Last but not least, make sure that whatever activity you decide on is actually enjoyable! Make sure there are engaging elements such as music or games, even if the goal is simply getting together out of the office environment; this will allow everyone involved to feel both relaxed and motivated!
Five people stood in a row, each holding a bowling ball and wearing bowling shoes.

What if you are a freelancer?

As a freelancer, your work is your own, and while this can have its benefits, it can also mean things can get a little stale. Incorporating fun into your work is a great way to inject some life into your day-to-day routines, boost creativity, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Here are some pointers for freelancers on how to have fun at work:

  • Create a Fun Workspace. Personalise your workspace by adding decor, plants, or other items that make you happy and foster creativity. Surrounding yourself with things you enjoy can be a great way to make work feel less like work.
  • Collaborate with Others. Collaborating with other freelancers on projects can be a fun way to build relationships, share ideas, and learn new things from others in your field. Consider joining a co-working space or local group to find potential collaborators.
  • Make creative time for yourself. Make time for hobbies or creative projects that have nothing to do with work. Trying new things and experimenting with new ideas can remind you why you love your work in the first place.

By incorporating fun into your work as a freelancer, you can make working feel less like a chore and more like a creative outlet. Prioritising fun can lead to increased creativity and motivation and ultimately help you achieve greater success in your freelance career.

Have fun with others.

Having fun with others is an important part of leading a balanced life and can be beneficial in many ways.

Here are some reasons why having fun with others is so important:

  • Building relationships. Engaging in fun activities with others is a great way to build positive, meaningful relationships. Spending time with others in a leisurely, enjoyable setting can help strengthen bonds and create memorable moments.
  • Boosting morale. Having fun with others can also help boost morale in the workplace. By participating in activities outside of work, such as team-building exercises or recreational events, employees can develop a greater sense of camaraderie and teamwork.
  • Enhancing creativity. Collaborating with others in a fun, relaxed environment can also help enhance creativity. Brainstorming with others in a comfortable, casual setting can often lead to innovative and successful ideas.

Here are some tips on how to have fun with others:

  • Find fun people. Seek out people who share similar interests and enjoy the activities you do. Look for clubs, organisations, or groups that align with your interests or participate in events that attract like-minded people.
  • Plan fun activities. Plan activities or events that align with the interests of you and your friends, colleagues, or family. This will help to ensure that everyone is engaged, energised, and excited about the experience.
  • Make the most of opportunities. Take advantage of opportunities to have fun with others whenever they arise. Engage in friendly conversations, participate in activities or events, and go out of your way to socialise with others.
Three women are laughing while lying in an orange bath with their clothes on, rubber ducks lining the walls, and throwing plastic balls in the air.

In conclusion, making fun a priority in our lives and work is crucial for our overall happiness and well-being. Whether it's to reduce stress, increase productivity, or build meaningful relationships, incorporating fun activities into our daily lives can provide numerous benefits. It can be challenging at times to find time for fun, but by identifying what activities bring us joy and making a conscious effort to prioritise them, we can achieve greater levels of happiness and fulfilment.

So, let's all make it a priority to have more fun in our lives, whether it's taking up a new hobby, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a break to engage in a leisurely activity. Remember, life is about more than just work and productivity.

Fun is an essential element of living a happy and fulfilling life.