Rediscover the magic of fun—no matter your age or schedule!

What memories of summer fun bring a smile to your face?

For me, it’s blowing bubbles or licking my ice cream cone to stop the ice cream from trickling down my hand. I also remember the cold chill of the Atlantic Ocean waves splashing me in the face, as I shrieked, then giggled, with my dad on the Jersey shore.

As fun as they are for me to remember, those memories may also decrease my stress levels, acting as a natural stress reliever, according to Soulaime Gourani, in her Forbes article “Elevating Leadership Through the Science of Fun”. In her article, Gourani references The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) findings on moments of joy being associated with stress relief and creative thinking.

Why is fun so important?

Turns out plugging along non-stop may not be the best way to proceed.

Our brains need a break to process and reset. Fun, lighthearted moments may help our brains recharge, helping us be more prod...