How to Use Fun to Build Coping Skills and Resiliency

Finding fun.  Everyone talks about wanting to find peace or wanting to find joy - I think finding fun can be just as important in our journey to finding happiness in our lives.  Several years ago I took my kids to see the movie Rise of The Guardians. It unfortunately also happened to be the same day as the Sandy Hook shootings.  I was devastated by hearing all of the news reports that day and feeling so sad that even elementary schools were not a place that kids could feel safe. Even though my mood was down, I already had these plans to take the kids and didn't want to disappoint them.  If you are not familiar with this movie - the plot has to do with immortal guardians like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy who protect the world's children from darkness and despair.  They share how over time, kids lose their faith and belief in these characters.  That allows the bogeyman (evil and darkness) the freedom to take over their minds and how they see the world. These characters use “powers” such as wonder, hope, and fun to help defeat the bogeyman from taking over and turning kids toward fear and negativity. 

It struck me as I was watching this movie with my kids on such a tragic day, that while I can’t physically protect them from everything, I can help instill these traits of hope, wonder, fun, etc.  Through that, I can help them to have the resiliency to get through the different situations that happen in the world. 

For whatever reason, fun stuck with me as that trait I sought and cherished.  To me, fun provides laughter and optimism. I feel like fun can be underrated as trivial, silly or childish. I’ve definitely learned to try and embrace fun. In my work with teens, I see how learning to find fun can help them emotionally, socially, and academically in finding success and a positive outlook in life. It reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies Mary Poppins. In the song A Spoonful of Sugar there is a line that states, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap! The job’s a game.”  So dance while you make the bed, race your kids who can pick up toys the fastest, embrace your silly side. Whatever works for you. Ultimately, how we approach everyday things in life can have a big impact on how we see them, how they affect us, as well as those around us. Your challenge is to keep not only peace, mindfulness, and happiness at the forefront but also to find your fun.