Last week I spoke to a group about the many benefits that come through having fun. I referred to documented studies that show laughter (a direct result of fun) boosts the immune system. I also noted that businesses incorporating fun into the workday enjoy higher productivity, fewer sick days, lower turnover and a boost to creativity and morale. In this economy, we need fun more than ever.
As a coach, I have always strongly encouraged my clients to incorporate fun into their specific plans and goals. I practice what I preach. Leading the Artists Way groups over the past 3 years has also helped me see the value of adding more fun into life through regular “artists dates”.
I still get a few blank stares from people who don’t have a clue how to have fun. The good news is that I have a ton of fun ideas on hand that work for just about anybody, no matter what time of the year it may be.
Today I challenged myself to come up with 100 fun ideas for June 2009. Maybe you can find something on this list to inspire you. My wish is that you also think of a few things that are missing, but certainly fun for you.
Challenge yourself to build more fun into your routines. Today is a great day to get started.
1. Eat outdoors
2. Go barefoot
3. Plant a flower
4. Blow bubbles
5. Make sidewalk art with chalk
6. Run through a sprinkler
7. Wear a pony tail
8. Take a walk
9. Jog with a dog
10. Admire someone’s garden
11. Visit a garden center
12. Grow fresh herbs
13. Gather and arrange flowers
14. Grow a tomato plant
15. Roll down a grassy hill
16. Eat fresh strawberries
17. Listen to the breeze
18. Watch a birdfeeder
19. Sing while mowing the grass
20. Paint your toenails
21. Sit in a sunny place
22. Play hopscotch
23. Go to an afternoon matinee
24. Get an ice cream cone
25. Attend a street festival
26. Pack a picnic
27. Grill something
28. Make a pretty salad
29. Visit a farmers market and talk to a farmer
30. Skip instead of walk – see if anyone notices
31. Wear a funny hat
32. Play a favorite song on a Kazoo
33. Pick your own fruit at a farm
34. Take a kid to the zoo
35. Listen to the birds
36. Sit by a fan
37. Float in the water
38. Eat watermelon outside – spit the seeds as far as you can
39. Give a dog a bath
40. Let a wet dog shake all over you
41. Touch live plants
42. Read near a body of water
43. Pull some weeds
44. Wear bright colors and a tropical lei
45. Dry laundry outside
46. Enjoy a coffee break outdoors
47. Take silly photos – post on Facebook
48. Splash somebody (nicely of course)
49. Ride a bike
50. Put fruit slices in your water glass
51. Play fetch with a dog
52. Improve your game of Frisbee
53. Set up a miniature golf date
54. Make fresh lemonade
55. Open a lemonade stand
56. Eat a pop-sickle
57. Gaze at the stars
58. Catch lightening bugs
59. Help someone spread mulch
60. Listen to music
61. Smell flowers
62. Water some plants
63. Visit a new patio
64. Research local patio dining options
65. Make dinner reservations for patio dining
66. Admire a bird nest
67. Blow dandylion fluff
68. Wash your car and wax to a shine
69. Make a bonfire
70. Sit by a lake
71. Walk by a river
72. Go fishing
73. Feed ducks
74. Make a slushy frozen drink
75. Call someone you had fun with as a kid
76. Get a horn for your bike
77. Wear a sundress or Bermuda shorts
78. Stop at a garage sale
79. Send yourself a fun postcard
80. Notice all the beauty around you
81. Restore a surface with new paint
82. Explore a new part of your local park system
83. Press flowers and leaves in the Phone Book
84. Laugh out loud
85. Smile and say hi to strangers
86. Smile and say hi to animals you see
87. Listen to your 5 all-time favorite songs
88. Clean something until it shines
89. Dance like nobody’s watching
90. Blow bubbles with a drinking straw
91. Hunt for frogs and tadpoles
92. Catch a dragonfly. Observe and release
93. Jump rope
94. Climb a tree
95. Sit under a tree
96. Swing on a swing
97. Breathe Deeply, sigh loudly
98. Notice your favorite colors in nature. Give them interesting names
99. Make a stash of water balloons
100. Surprise someone with a water balloon.
