The psychology of fun : How small moments of fun protect our mental well-being
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Biros Leishangthem
Contd from previous issue
Proyer (2017) suggest that playfulness is connected with emotional stability and well being. Playfulness is also closely linked to happiness and humor. Qian et al (2011) showed that playful behaviour can foster positive moods and strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with challenging circumstances. Besides, emotional stability associated with playfulness may contribute to relationship satisfaction.Beyond psychological benefits, daily positive experiences may even contribute to improved physical health outcomes, serving a protective role against infla- mmation (Sin et al., 2014).
Cultivating joy does not necessarily require dramatic life changes. Often, it is the smallest habits that contribute most significantly to emotional well-being. Simple joyful practices can include collecting small trinkets, crocheting tiny toys, planting wild grass in small pots, collecting cute printables can create moments of delight in everyday life.From a personal experience, my sister and I used to rescue and replant little grass that others saw as weeds during the COVID-19 pandemic. We arranged them in tiny pots, added small trinkets, and found ourselves genuinely awestruck by the quiet aesthetic they created. In hindsight, that small, playful activity became an adaptive coping strategy, helping us stay grounded and emotionally balanced through the long stretch of social isolation.
In much the same way, everyday moments can also be transformed into playful experiences—talking to plants while watering them, cutting fruits into playful shapes, writing small appreciative notes about ordinary objects, admiring the delicate patterns of flower petals, or dancing simply for the joy of movement.
Ironically, many of these habits are often dismissed as childlike or immature. But the truth is finding joy in the simplest aspects of daily life can be one of the most powerful psychological tools we possess. Some might question the idea of talking to plants. Yet society generally accepts talking to pets as normal behaviour. If speaking to animals can express affection and care, why should expressing that same sense of connection toward plants seem unusual ? Extending a similar sense of attentiveness toward plants or everyday objects can foster appreciation for one’s surroundings.
These behaviours are closely linked to mindfulness – being fully present in the moment. Mindfulness encourages openness to new experiences. This openness allows individuals to notice beauty, creativity, and meaning in everyday life. In many ways, embracing a slightly whimsical outlook can stimulate imagination and encourage new ways of thinking.
In a world that often emphasizes productivity and success above all else, it is easy to forget that joy itself is a powerful psychological resource. In times marked by uncertainty and social fragmentation, nurturing small moments of joy can quietly strengthen emotional resilience and renew our sense of human connection.
The writer is a counselling psychologist
Contd from previous issue
Proyer (2017) suggest that playfulness is connected with emotional stability and well being. Playfulness is also closely linked to happiness and humor. Qian et al (2011) showed that playful behaviour can foster positive moods and strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with challenging circumstances. Besides, emotional stability associated with playfulness may contribute to relationship satisfaction.Beyond psychological benefits, daily positive experiences may even contribute to improved physical health outcomes, serving a protective role against infla- mmation (Sin et al., 2014).
Cultivating joy does not necessarily require dramatic life changes. Often, it is the smallest habits that contribute most significantly to emotional well-being. Simple joyful practices can include collecting small trinkets, crocheting tiny toys, planting wild grass in small pots, collecting cute printables can create moments of delight in everyday life.From a personal experience, my sister and I used to rescue and replant little grass that others saw as weeds during the COVID-19 pandemic. We arranged them in tiny pots, added small trinkets, and found ourselves genuinely awestruck by the quiet aesthetic they created. In hindsight, that small, playful activity became an adaptive coping strategy, helping us stay grounded and emotionally balanced through the long stretch of social isolation.
In much the same way, everyday moments can also be transformed into playful experiences—talking to plants while watering them, cutting fruits into playful shapes, writing small appreciative notes about ordinary objects, admiring the delicate patterns of flower petals, or dancing simply for the joy of movement.
Ironically, many of these habits are often dismissed as childlike or immature. But the truth is finding joy in the simplest aspects of daily life can be one of the most powerful psychological tools we possess. Some might question the idea of talking to plants. Yet society generally accepts talking to pets as normal behaviour. If speaking to animals can express affection and care, why should expressing that same sense of connection toward plants seem unusual ? Extending a similar sense of attentiveness toward plants or everyday objects can foster appreciation for one’s surroundings.
These behaviours are closely linked to mindfulness – being fully present in the moment. Mindfulness encourages openness to new experiences. This openness allows individuals to notice beauty, creativity, and meaning in everyday life. In many ways, embracing a slightly whimsical outlook can stimulate imagination and encourage new ways of thinking.
In a world that often emphasizes productivity and success above all else, it is easy to forget that joy itself is a powerful psychological resource. In times marked by uncertainty and social fragmentation, nurturing small moments of joy can quietly strengthen emotional resilience and renew our sense of human connection.
The writer is a counselling psychologist