No really. Why IS having fun important to mental health?
In this podcast we explore a rabbit hole, and talk about common misconceptions (myths) about what it takes to heal, along with some simple ideas for engaging your body and emotions in the process of FUN.
Have a quick watch. 🙂
What did you think? Does self-care include fun?
Have you let having fun be part of your own mental health maintenance plan?
Why Is Having Fun Important To You Personally?
There was a time that I squelched my healthy, fun core because of my past trauma. It was toooooo vulnerable and it was too… unsafe.
Let me know if you can identify with that feeling if you’ve experienced that before.
I got to learn how to cry out the steam that was built up inside of me and MAKE SPACE for my laughter to bubble up from under the steam of fear and trauma.
Here is what I did to move through the hard part:
- I gave myself intentionally time alone and found something that I wanted to think was funny on youtube. (I tried babies laughing first.)
- Watching the videos brought my “steam” to the surface and instead of laughter… I got to have an excellent cry with nobody asking me what’s wrong. I didn’t need to have something be wrong! I just needed to cry out the steam!
- I let a day go by so I could settle into the new peace I was feeling.
- And then… I found some videos about baby goats playing, and goats fainting… which I could laugh at for hours!
- I bubbled that fun over onto my kids and invited them to watch and laugh with me!
It’s simple, but it’s powerful! And you know that I don’t expect you to watch laughing babies and goofy goats if you don’t find them to be delightful. Choose something that floats your boat… when you let the steam off the top.
Catch my love!
Bronwen Oehlschlager
Founder and Co-Owner
Shayoli Hope Center For Healing
ShayoliHope.com
