Fun February

Welcome to the ‘fun February’ blog. We are finally in February, the end of winter is (kind of) in sight so now it's time to start having some fun.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Making time to have some fun is actually good for our health, get ready for some science (and the serious bit). When we worry, become stressed or anxious our bodies release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol. As adrenaline starts to rush through our bodies our heart starts to race, our breathing becomes faster, our blood pressure goes up, our muscles become tense, this is when cortisol (the stress hormone) steps in to help. When we become worried, stressed or anxious cortisol is released to get us ready for ‘fight or flight’ mode, it’s working out if we need to prepare to run for our safety or fight for our safety.                    When this happens over and over again it starts to have a significant impact on us. This could lead to physical health problems such as chronic diseases like heart disease or even diabetes, it could lead to us having a weaker immune system and it can even impact our weight. Mentally we can start finding it difficult to concentrate, we have less energy, we struggle to sleep, we become even more anxious which can also lead to depression.

So, lets back to the fun. As we’ve just discovered it is pretty important that we have some fun in our lives. What do you find fun? This doesn’t have to be something expensive, just like I mentioned in last months blog "Joyful January" it is about doing something that you enjoy, something that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel happy. It could be spending time with people who you love, who make you laugh and really lift your spirits. Watching your favourite TV show for the millionth time because you know it will make you laugh (Friends will always be my go to for this). Play a board game, as long as it doesn’t result in a fallout, remember it’s not the winning that counts. Listening to your favourite music can be so uplifting, especially if you sing and dance around the living room at the same time.

Think back to when you were a child, what did you do that you used to really love? Colouring in or (depending on the time of year) making daisy chains, playing conkers, hide & seek, hopscotch, rolling down hills. Who says you can’t do these sort of things as an adult? If you have a younger child or grandchild do it with them, teach them something fun.

Just remember, we only get one life, lets live it to the fullest.