What happened to fun? When did growing up mean that we had to stop building forts on a rainy day, pushing each other on swings, laying on the carpet to play a board game or laughing so hard that our sides hurt?

Now, take that same idea of fun and apply it to working out. Suddenly it is not a thing of duty or chore but rather something that brings a smile to your face. Something where you can’t wait to get up in the morning to do it or where you’re counting down the days until you get to do it again.

What would it look like if we started putting fun back into health and movement? For starters, there may be a risk of increased happiness and uncontrollable smiling. Secondly, there is the chance of stronger connections with the ones around you that you care about and last but not least there is a possibility of having more energy, better sleep and achieving your weight loss/weight gain/weight sustaining goals. I don’t know about any of you but I kind of like the sound of those odds.

I know we all get caught up in the pace of work, life, social and family obligations and stress. The thing is we all have a choice in how we decompress and reconnect with ourselves and each other.

How do we establish more fun in our relationships, health and overall life? While the answer to that can be very personalized there are some basic things you can do to start.

The next time your child comes to  you with a request to have you “play” with them, walk away from that laundry or sweeping that floor and engage. The sad fact is that ‘chore’ (whatever it may be) will always be there waiting but those moments with your child only come once and then they are gone. How you react with live with them forever though.

Another thing you can do is laugh more. Rent an awesome comedy or go to a stand-up night. Trade really ridiculously awesome jokes with your youngster or try out a joke a day on a co-worker or friend. Something that goes well with this is smiling more. Try it and trust me you won’t regret it. Smiling not only uses more face muscles (good-bye double chin?) but it has the side effect of making someone’s day.

You also can find an exercise that you love doing with all your being. For some of you that might be running, for some dancing, skiing or any other multitude of options. Do something that speaks to your heart, that you feel like you’ve been built for or that you can’t imagine not doing ever again.

Create memories. Have those moments where as adults you build a fort, stock up on pillows, movies and snacks (healthy of course!) and cozy up. Grab good friends and go for a walk and tea. Take your child for an adventure and tell them they can choose whatever direction you walk in that day and see where it leads you.

The important thing is to allow yourself to just be, to enjoy life, each other and to encourage others around you to do the same. It will spread like wildfire and will bring you more contentment than you can imagine.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing I hope you’re finding your fun on your own, with someone you love or someone you’ve just met. Most importantly I hope you’re creating those memories that you’ll carry with you forever.

Love D.

Photo credit: Armando Tura