Everyone has a different idea of what is fun. When at work the goal is producing. When at play we get a break from taking ourselves too seriously. We do an activity just for the heck of it. We may play a game, do a puzzle, paint, we may dance. We are absorbed in what we are seeing, hearing, doing.
Play uses our imagination and creativity. Studies show that being creative, relaxing and enjoying ourselves can decrease stress, improve immune system function, decrease our perception of pain, improve our mood, and help our hearts beat more regularly. The fun prescription is the best you'll ever get- no fingersticks, needles or drugs, nothing to monitor or avoid. Learning to take it slow from time to time will improve our health, quality of life and probably our productivity on the job.
So why not get together with friends, have a few laughs and do something creative like make some homemade gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, etc... Magazines like Martha Stewart, Simple Living, etc... new buzzword is living green and saving money by being crafty. The next time you think you'll go to the mall and walk around try a fun, creative project. You'll save money by not shopping and you'll feel like you stepped back in time making a gift for that special someone rather than having to go to the store to buy it.
Host a homemade card making session in your home on a summer's afternoon. For the moms, have a mother/daughter gathering. For the men in your life, suggest a walk on the beach or spend a Saturday afternoon at a farmer's market and then cook a fun, delicious meal together.
At times deadlines get us down and we find we have run out of ideas. It is time to step back make sometime for fun and the ideas will flow. It is pure magic.
The author of this post runs a women's group called Artsy Divas in San Diego. They periodically get together to share in the creative process whether it is mixed media work either on cards or canvas, decoupage jewelry, sculptures, and gift boxes, found art, etc... These women have grown together over the years and have shared many stories and experiences. For more information contact Claudette Heffner, claudeheff@aol.com.