Mental Note:

When you were first introduced to Mental Hygiene, you were likely told that none of what you were about to learn was spectacular. That’s accurate. But like many of the greatest things in life, it’s just quietly true. It’s all rather simple, in fact. Simple…but somehow not very easy.

In a world that is constantly challenging us to think bigger, today’s Mental Note is going to ask you, just for a moment, to think small.

While kids are naturally playful, as adults it can often feel beneath us to do the little things we enjoy. Sure we’ll treat ourselves to our favorite drink or give ourselves a well-deserved mental break by scrolling for just a bit, but doing something just for fun can feel, well… ridiculous. But that thinking does not serve us well. Giving yourself a few minutes to come alive in the middle (or end) of a day isn’t a few minutes of irresponsibility. It’s actually genius. Engaging in something that brings you joy, even briefly, relieves stress, improves brain function, and boosts creativity. When done with others, it can enhance relationships as well. When you look at it that way, it would be unwise to not choose a little fun.

Finding a little enJOYment

Adding play (I get it, it sounds dumb, but stick with me here) into your mental hygiene practice can take one of two forms: 1) doing specific things that bring you joy, or 2) gamifying things you’re doing anyway.

1. It’s easy to let joy get crowded out when productivity and the demands of life are staring you in the face, but just a few well placed minutes can go a long way. When was the last time you played a song you enjoy on the piano, read a book you loved as a kid, spent a few minutes on a swing, watched fireflies, high-fived a stranger, found a hammock to plant yourself in for a bit, shot pool, danced to music while making dinner, played darts or a board game, or spun to see if your skirt could twirl. It can feel almost embarrassing to consider doing as an adult, but it actually increases neuroplasticity and can enhance memory and problem-solving…benefits that passive forms of relaxation (think screens) cannot give. Trading just one of your daily scrolling sessions for something truly enjoyable can be the difference between actually restoring your attention and energy or merely having minutes pass unnoticed. It’s the difference between gaining joy and losing time.

2. You’re doing the thing anyway. Why not make it a little fun? Shoot your trash at the trashcan instead of dropping it in, try to beat the clock emptying the dishwasher or folding laundry, play rock-paper-scissors for who has to take out the trash, set an over/under on how many times the dog will bark to get out. Build neural pathways and add to your cognitive reserves, plus put a smile on your face, while you’re doing all the things anyway.

Being the fun guy 🍄

Sometimes creating joy for others is an easy and surprisingly enjoyable gateway. Be the fun uncle, co-worker, or neighbor just once. Have a driveway or sidewalk out front? Use sidewalk chalk to draw hopscotch or a winding bike path for kids going by. Tell a joke. Bring donuts or fresh fruit to work. Send a friend a postcard just because. Say yes to the thing your kid expects you to say no to. Race to the car.

Are we having fun yet?

If you want to be a happier person a month from now, try adding “play” to your to do list…literally. For those of us not naturally inclined toward play, making it an item we can check off the list may be what it takes to make it happen. As a person who feels zero shame in writing an already completed task on my list purely for the joy of then crossing it off, this is a sure-fire way to see that play is part of my day.

Click here for more tangible ideas for adding a little joy to your day, and to start planning how you can incorporate all 8 domains into your routine.
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