Wellbeing tip #9: Do something fun!
- Kelly Lockwood
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
A monthly series where I’ll offer some suggestions for tools and strategies that can help with our well-being.
Each one of us is different, and what one person finds helpful, may not resonate with others.
We may find that what has helped previously, may not be connecting with us in the same way in the present.
Or you may have a well-established set of tools that are ‘tried and trusted’, but you’d like to add some more.
It is my hope that these tips will give you some ideas.
September: do something fun!
People will tell you about my love of Greg James.
And yes, they would be right.
Am I technically too old for the radio 1 demographic? Yes
Was I ‘old enough to know better’ when dancing around wearing a bucket hat (before Oasis reunited and made them fashionable again) in Luton at radio 1 Big Weekend in the hope of catching a glimpse? Yes, I was (and yes, I did).
But do I love the silliness and fun? A massive, yes!
But why is there a reference to Greg James in this blog, I hear you ask!
Well, last week, he published a book which, at its heart, is the focus on remembering to have fun, in amongst the adulting of life. This message was also a focus of his honorary duck-torate (if you know, you know) speech at York University earlier this year.
And whilst – full disclosure - I haven’t yet read it (it’s sitting staring at me from my coffee table ready to read this week), a sentence on the inside cover gave me the inspiration for this month’s wellbeing tip:
‘…before you know it, you’re a ‘grown-up’. That’s all well and good but have you remembered to have fun along the way?’
If you think about it, when was the last time that you saw an adult jump and splash in a puddle?
When was the last time that you saw a child do it?
When was the last time that you splattered some paint all over a piece of paper and maybe covered it in glitter, not worrying about the mess that was being created all about?
When was the last time that you kicked a pile of leaves whilst out on an Autumn walk or played conkers (not sure if that’s still allowed with current health and safety, but you get my meaning!)?
When you think back over the years, to the things that you loved to do, just purely for the enjoyment of it… how many of them do you still do, and if not, why not?
There might be many reasons for not doing those things.
There might be time constraints, financial responsibilities as well as general adulting and life admin and responsibilities.
We might also be facing challenges and pressures that are impacting on energy or motivation levels, and getting through the day is our main focus.
Or is it because we have just ‘forgotten’ to do them?
That we’ve forgotten how much we used to enjoy something, or still do?
Or perhaps we think that we ‘can’t’ or ‘shouldn’t’ do it anymore now that we ‘re older? That they’re things which are exclusive to childhood or young adulthood.
Yet the strange thing is that sometimes, doing the things that we don’t want to do, or feel that we have the energy, space, or time to do, are the exact things that can leave us feeling more energised, more uplifted, more able to face the challenges around us.
The endorphins that come from doing something that we enjoy, or having fun, can carry on beyond the activity itself.
‘Feel good’ chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin are released, impacting on our mood.
We can feel less stressed and feel more able to face whatever the day may present.
If the activity is something that also involves others, such as a walk with friends or a team sport, there is also the additional impact of increased social connection and all the benefits that come with it.
So, this month, how about doing something for fun?
For no other reason, but for enjoyment.
As with previous wellbeing tips, it doesn’t have to be large or significant.
It doesn’t have to take up lots of time, although it can if you want.
It doesn’t have to be a regular commitment, unless you want it to be.
It might be something that you used to do and that you would like to do again, or it might be something completely new.
It might be something with other people, or it might be a solo adventure.
Above all, it doesn’t matter what age recommendation would be given to the activity (unless of course, there is peril or danger attached, in which case, age absolutely does matter, as do any safety precautions!).
After all, it can be said that ‘age is but a number’.
Play and fun is open to all.
I guess that what I’m trying to say, is that it’s ok to jump in puddles as an adult, or to kick that pile of leaves (albeit, you may have to rake them back up again if it’s in your garden), or play conkers.
And that it’s ok to paint, glitter and make a mess.
And it’s ok to jump around in a park, whilst wearing a bucket hat, and listen to your favourite radio show and DJ, even when you are not the designated demographic.
It’s ok, in fact more than ok, to have fun!
The formal bits:
· Greg James ‘All the best for the future’ (2025) Penguin Random House, London
· The University of York ‘duck-torate’ speech: