Why Having Fun Is the Secret to a Healthier Life | Catherine Price | TED

Have you had your daily dose of fun? It's not just enjoyable, it's also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine Price. She proposes a new definition of fun -- what she calls "true fun" -- and shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playfulness, flow and connection into your everyday life.
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[@kyliemarsh6239]

One of the GREATEST tips on having fun that has worked wonders in my life, and uplifted my friends when I told them is this: "It's only embarrassing if you're embarrassed'. Far too often, do we miss out on having fun due to the fear of what other people will think or perceive us. For example, I used to hate dances. I thought, why would it be fun at all to go out in front of everyone without a plan and let them judge me on what a bad dancer I am. Now as I've matured, I've realized that the key to having fun is just not caring. I've recently had so much fun at dances by just feeling the music and letting my body do whatever it wants. Smiling and laughing with friends and just sort of meditating in the feeling of bliss. Feeling the vibrations of the music and not caring about what other people thought. Plus, when you exuberate confidence, people tend to think higher of you because they think subconsciously: if she's not embarrassed, it must not be embarrassing, just silly and fun

[@vipsylar6370]

I'm gonna share your great way of seen things. @Kylie

[@GreenGorgeousness]

I mean... You can practice haha

[@albanadorda4135]

1

[@user-ed2yg8ho6f]

לכו לטייל. 🌊 ים גלים. לרבוץ מול הים. וגננות. ילדים ולהבדיל צמחים

[@dawsonarvilla]

🙏💛🙏🤗

[@JovonWNY]

The start of fun is not taking yourself too serious ALL the time.

[@AdenwalaM]

The saying goes: Most of the shadows in our life are created by our standing in our own sunshine."

[@AnimalLover-dw2wu]

@@AdenwalaM Love that!

[@weipingsong9316]

Exactly 👍

[@Sbannmarie]

Me too!

[@clivegable9387]

I’ve taken myself far to seriously in the past and I regret that,and am actively practicing seeing the lighter side of life, it’s a new journey revisited 😅

[@sophieblooming8555]

Glad to hear fun visualized as sunshine. People often call me “sunshine”, because I naturally emit such energy to uplift people without trying. Smiling is my default expression. So I guess I’m not fun seeking. I’m fun living.

[@gururajkulkarni343]

Thats interseting Sophie ; much sunshine to u, and pll around u. hope to meet u some day.

[@jerricasmith3399]

Smiling is my default 2

[@rogerfournier3284]

On point: exemplary comment.

[@KailuaChick]

Same! I’m always smiling, no matter what’s going on in my life. I try not to take it personally when people don’t return my smiling but to each their own!

[@som956]

I love how she is actually having fun while talking in TED ! Love her speech and the topic so much!

[@millie9814]

Yes! That's the best part!

[@lainey4920]

Yes, I agree with you.😊

[@Inbraneinthememsane]

As long as the women I have fun with don’t look like her

[@hoanghuy385]

WHY HAVING FUN IS THE SECRET TO A HEALTHIER LIFE **** 1. The secret to long-term happiness is just to have more everyday moment of fun. 2. Ingredients of fun: - playfulness: having a lighthearted attitude of doing things for the sake of doing them and not care too much about the outcome. - connection: shared, interact people. - flow: the state that we so engaged and focused that we even lose track of time. 3. the most effective things you can do to have more fun is focus on its ingredients and fill your life with every moment of its: - reduce distraction - ex : don’t constantly on your phone. - try to connect more with people. - finding oppoturnities to rebel - get yourself permission to kick out of your life. - prioritize fun - carve out time for the activity or people often generate playful connected flow for you in your schedule.

[@QuanNguyen-pb8ye]

Thank you❤

[@rogerfournier3284]

On point: exemplary comment.

[@ingridsnook7636]

Thank you! You take better notes than I do!

[@xoxo.jaccky778]

Thank you, you just did my homework 😭😭

[@FrancesoCamarda9]

i think fun wont make you happier

[@jamesmills2896]

Some of my fondest memories, are some of the hardest times in life. Like that time I tipped my kayak in a freezing river. It took 4 hours of wet and freezing to get to my truck. SO MUCH FUN! I never felt so alive

[@sidilicious11]

I just started kayaking a few years ago and find it soooo fun. And part of kayaking is how hard it is at times to keep paddling for hours after hour, a test of endurance, and how scary it is in a rapids sometimes. Them there’s the beauty of nature, and water, and sky, and comraderie. The adventure and accomplishment. All of it equals fun.

[@janedieuart]

Since I quit my job in banking to be an artist full time I've had a LOT more fun!!! We only live once, let's make it enjoyable!

[@gladiator229]

Key ingredients of having fun:- 1. Playfulness 2. Connection 3. Flow

[@zekefreed8258]

finally i see someone vocalize what ive been feeling for a long time. Learning to have fun is one of THE most important things anyone can stive for in life

[@matthewgrange9310]

Watched this, thought "very nice! Good talk" Incorporating a "fun ethic" into my days has made life more worth living! No longer am I anguishing in decision paralysis, trying to tailor each decision I make towards being better than I was before. I've rediscovered what it feels like to play pretend and have fun. It feels like being a kid again

[@Mia-ei4mh]

I had great fun in the junior & senior year of my Engineering & I can not tell you guys how much I enjoyed with my friends, it was such a blissful experience & i still miss it. I miss my friends & our silly fun.

[@maureenos]

Thank you for the important reminder. I tend to drive myself so hard that I often completely forget about the magic of fun! Appreciate your talk & message!

[@mariaclaras88]

I felt fun yesterday night! Me and a long-term friend went out for the first time in years. After leaving the metro, our conversation has led to a giant amout of laughs. At the end, we didn't remember the reason that made us laugh first, but it was genuine and truly fun! This TED talk made me feel conscious and excited to the next funny moment :D

[@user-bc1kk8dm3w]

I love this reminder to stop and smell the roses. When life gets busy, I tend to put fun on the back burner and forget to live. When i get a chance to do it, I always come back rejuvenated , refreshed and become more productive. Thank you.

[@Wilfoe]

I'm glad to say that I've always been good at having fun. Give me an empty water bottle and I can entertain myself for an hour. Definitely worth it to have this mindset, though it does seem to upset a lot of people in my life for some reason...

[@beldonhuang]

Indeed, one thing that is SO often neglected in the world of hustle culture today is to have fun and enjoy the journey. It is exactly this that motivates us to continue and produce not just more but even better work, with more enjoyment, fulfillment and satisfaction

[@charmiemendoza5912]

One of the best TED talk ever !! Wow I learned so much , I finally figured out what’s the key ingredients that’s missing in my life which is to have fun at the moments in your life wow . Thank you 🙏

[@Becky_Cal]

I love the comment about doing things to do them and not caring too much about the outcome! That’s how I approach my personal life (clearly, not my professional one)… especially when I try new things (like roller skating in my 40s). So many people I’ve met, especially once they hit 40, are like “I don’t really like doing that. It’s never been my thing. I feel like people will be watching me thinking what is he/she doing. Etc etc.” How boring and how sad! Get over yourself and get out and try new things. Otherwise, you’ll have a very sad, boring & lonely life…one that was hardly lived. You’ll be more prone to illness & physically, you’re more likely to end up with chronic disease. Live a little!

[@waynegilbert4784]

how are you Becca

[@pro369]

You got it, dear. Glad to read your comment

[@sifelanisithole2010]

I'm in my 40s too and guess what, I'm awakening that inner child in me which wishes to express itself. One life, one love!

[@jamesballantyne8349]

This is really good, so good, life giving, thank you Catherine. As I look at the vein diagram that you use, and am in the process of recovering from childhood trauma, I realise how each of those things , playfulness, connection and flow were absent - or were only present outside of the home, but also just recognising that fun is looked down upon as lazy or rebellious, yet it is essential, thank you for this its so good

[@gianaspendler1508]

This video was very helpful. Catherine is light herself and an amazing speaker. Very well done, thank you.

[@esh8400]

Such a simple thing reminded in such a beautiful way.

[@nova-9680]

This is a very good and relatable topic for me. As a young student, i think what has been missing in most of my activities is “fun” itself. Sometimes I’m doing something but im not feeling good after doing it. I like the words “Fun is a feeling, not an activity”. When you do something that makes you feels fun, it will gets you happier or brighter, like a sunshine. Literally. Otherwise, if you do something for fun, it’s not really going to make you feel fun at all. Playfulness, connection and flow are really a great receipe for all of this topic.

[@francesbernard2445]

What a good attitude to have. There is a huge difference between being only obsessed with doing something and having fun while doing so to the best of your ability and then some only on the odd occasion.

[@melissamorris9851]

Outstanding talk! I will now share it with my students… the music classroom should be all of us in a state of flow/fun!! The phones are killing that flow/fun! When we are in a state of flow, the music is awesome, the smiles are large and the memories last until our next “flow” session when we will over write our last class session with the new fun we are having! This all leads to more love, learning and appreciation for the process of having fun through music. When we battle the phone distraction of one person in the room, it impacts the whole experience for all. Thank you for this Talk!

[@thanhhuynguyen2347]

Yup, being with family is truly fun, especially when you're far from home. I'm currently an international student at ISU. I really miss my parents 🥺.

[@novifitriani7365]

In this video Catherine Price said ” we need to do more fun” and yes I agree with her. Fun is very important , Iam as a college student , so I feel not only study is Important but fun also very necessary part of life. For me, fun can be fresh our mood to study and also for our mind. When you feel your mind is refreshed I feel more energetic and when I feel more energetic I can more concentrate on my class and have good mood . Even sometimes we often use the word “fun” to describe anything we do with our leisure time even when it’s not actually enjoyable, and in fact, a waste of time. But, fun is a relative term. Just as long as it’s not hurting another person, do whatever makes you happy or whatever it is you consider fun. The more fun you are able of experiencing, the healthier you will be. More friends equal more fun and stimulation in your life. We all need lots of stimulation and challenges of all sorts.

[@jaygould9610]

Catherine who knew that you were not only an incredible author but, that you have some skills in comedy as well. I appreciate you and your work so much. You have changed mine and my families lives tremendously. :D

[@catherinepriceauthor]

Thank you for sharing this, Jay. It really means a lot.

[@zzzz000]

one of the best ted talks , we all need a splash of fun and making it a regular thing !! :)

[@sukiling6118]

This makes so much sense & the people I met are constantly spreading out negative energy because they arent having fun!!

[@Gifted2Share]

🎉 loved this talk! One of my favs so far. We all need to have more fun!

[@GaryLiseo]

This is me when I’m with friends in the gym after a night of training or when I’m writing fiction. It definitely helps in many areas of life

[@jzen1455]

I love to dance after a killer set.

[@Joshua_Cares]

Having fun can lead to peace and joy! What a concept.

[@novianisyamaharanisusanto8467]

so glad to find this video, it's true that the key to health is fun. Fun is one of the health interventions and we must make fun a priority.

[@azrani2023]

Thank you SO MUCH. This put into words a yearning I've felt for a couple of months or even years now, after recovering from a difficult time in my life. I've always felt like having fun actually helps me feeling better and more myself again, but when I worded it in the presence of others the reactions were sometimes like "oh but that's egoistic and trivial and not a good goal to live up to at all, you should strive for more important things and be productive". That devastated me and it also makes me angry! Now, if I could, I would print that TED talk out and hang it on a wall for everyone to see. I'm gonna share and reshare it, until everybody understands how good it is for all of us to have fun. Again - thank you. So, so much. I loved watching this.

[@theosname]

Being productive and having fun are not mutually exclusive. Possibly due to the flow factor of fun mentioned in this vid, having fun can make someone more productive than when they aren't having fun. The fun you are having can even become contagious which makes it an order of magnitude more productive for you and everyone around you.

[@azrani2023]

@@theosname you're absolutely right on this one. finding the things that give you both is key in leading a meaningful life, I guess :-)

[@nataliekirschner9020]

I have no fun in my marriage. I’m acutely aware that I’m going to be miserable the rest of my life because I don’t have anyone to play with anymore. The only times I have genuine fun are when spending time with one of my sons who has the same zest for spontaneity, a drive in the country, grab a coffee, listen to a soundtrack, see a play or just talk about dreams and plans for the future. He will be an amazing husband and father. He reminds me of who I ( was) and still am inside whenever I’m with him. Conversations flow, he is never self conscious and he’s up for making memories. I thank God I have him as a buffer from the never ending stagnation and sadness I feel at this stage of my life. I don’t want to invite disease in. I intuitively know that frivolity is NOT immature or shameful but those are the messages I’ve received from certain members of my family. When I see couples older than me thriving, laughing, physically fit, I know it is not accidental and I long for it in my life. They are lit up from inside and appear youthful. I admire Jordan and Tammy Peterson- they value play. Never stop dating your wife. 9-5 is NOT all you do. It’s what you do with your FREE time that matters MOST. Life is short. Fun and genuine belly laughs and silliness on a regular basis are the breath of life. Phone scrolling is the death of conversation and connection. Thank you for this talk. I needed to see it and write these words.

[@userxxc]

This is so true thanks for this important talk!!

[@hamzaelkolli1475]

great speech , absolutly agree with you , at the end life is very short why we d ont take advantage for fun

[@aisyahmulyanti6885]

I agree with what Catherine Price said that we live to have fun and have it's not what we do but what we feel. It's true that having fun can make us healthy. if our feelings are happy, we can be more relaxed and easier to interact, so there is no more loneliness and stress that we experience when we have fun .

[@OLearyPublishing]

Great talk! Loved your daughter's description of fun.

[@fordprefect1130]

Very profound her daughter said the colour of fun would be “ sunshine”

[@alphacuschadman9991]

Fun is subjective, responsibility is not.. what is western civilisation become infants?

[@leocarona]

Perhaps this was brought to the speech as an attempt to be funny instead of profound?

[@TheSouthIsHot]

@@leocarona You must be one of those people that Skaadi described.

[@nikkinemerouf3224]

Wonderful presentation. You have just given me an explanation as to why I vacated playing golf for over 50 years and play pickleball instead. Pickleball involves playfulness, connection, and when you have four people of equal ability on the court - flow.

[@wellbodisalone]

"So much of life drains us, but fun fills us up."

[@LEDISTIAMULYANI]

I think it's true with the fact that we have to keep our phones out of our hand. I feel it when I hang out with my friends, I had fun with my friends when we talked to each other, told stories, played together without having to use each other's phones. To have fun when doing something we can feel for ourselves with our feelings as we focus on doing it.

[@nguyenhoangong3945]

It's so fun watching her sharings . Having fun helps us to better . Just look at the way she laughs while making this speech 🤣🤣🤣

[@udayvickyka1366]

Her biceps so strong💪

[@EvilChris2010]

Can’t say the same about yours.

[@oanar1289]

Keep that, keep thay body strong💪

[@GaryLiseo]

More definition because of a lower body fat %

[@udayvickyka1366]

@@GaryLiseo Higher muscle ratio😎

[@vanessakim13]

Thanks....now i can't take my eyes off them

[@idadelucia7779]

I used to have fun. Then I grew up and put on over 100 pounds. Now I’m on a health program and recently lost 10 pounds in three weeks. I’m feeling pretty good. Closer to my old self. I may not be out at concerts or theme parks, but I do spend more time doing things I enjoy.

[@annabelles1622]

Good for you!! ❤keep it up! I’ve lost weight too! I feel so much better

[@coralconnor2695]

Congratulations. Losing weight (and especially keeping it off) is hard! I’m finding I have more fun when I’m comfortable with the feel of my body and moving it. I too am losing weight

[@RickeyGold]

What a wonderful talk. Thanks so much @CatherinePrice.

[@St3vvv]

Thank you for the speech, its really amazing.

[@yessumify]

I needed this. Feeling the stress lift

[@poulamimondal1824]

loved the idea and the talk! the only aspect I would like to differ on is that it is equally fulfilling and rewarding to have fun by yourself, if not more I believe finding the courage to rebel by yourself and connecting with your surroundings itself can be just as fun

[@serenakoleno9338]

Yes, she missed that. Gardening and reading a great book can be fun. Hang 😊 gliding is once in my lifetime fun. Solo fun can be everyday.

[@clairewere]

I love this talk so much. It is so me. I feel understood. :)

[@josemanueldejesus4409]

This is great. Love this. Cannot say I have enough or too much fun.

[@dipanmondal5926]

Watching one episode per week on TED is a fun 😊

[@bigtonekilla44]

Such a good public speaker! Inspiring

[@GinaMFlorida]

My counselor told me to listen to this. Very helpful. I always thought I had to go to an amusement park, etc to have fun. Wow, was I wrong. I get it now. What a great counselor I have.

[@dr.julianataylor4312]

This is truly via revelation Catherine...God Bless!

[@ananyasreedev2093]

OMG ...one of the best talks I have heard in a long time.... Kudos 👏

[@markusantonius5863]

I love this talk. It' really something insightful. Idk what my life would be, if I'm so serious of all time. Fun is all that matters. Fun is really contagious.

[@SomeGal]

I needed this! I have not had fun in a long time.

[@WealthbuilderzTV]

Just from the title I knew this was going to be a great Ted Talk. Thank you for this.

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

Amazing talk. I love having Fun and this talk was a special treat listening to all of it as I want even more fun in my life. I had a lot of fun in the park tonight taking 10 photo shoots of people in the large park near city hall by the waterfront with fun great photos at all it's outdoor attractions. W all enjoyed it together and I will send all of them email photos copies this week.

[@coffee4me.1]

You are right , i agree with you , thank you for the motivision 💜

[@denisemicheldc]

Listening to this is the best way to start my day! Thanks for posting!

[@dr.julianataylor4312]

Fun or connection with other's is the key to keeping our hearts open-out of which comes all the forces of life!

[@FrankLucas415]

That was ULTRA deep & spot on. My only differing opinion is about connectivity being necessarily attached to others & not just my general environment (including animals in nature or climate change by way of travel). Terrific content❤

[@DonYutuc]

Who's watching in 2024? This is such a fun topic! Thank you so much!

[@codyhughes1147]

Play is important and the education system destroyed it in pretty much everybody. Play isnt frivilous. Its psychologically essential for regulating chemicals in your brain properly. I talk about this all the time. Veing hyper passionate and playful with art then losing it has made me realize first hand the importance of it. Finding the passion again solidifys the importance of play even more. Play is societys missing link. We always say love it the answer and i get it. But fun is the best way to love.

[@Moviepopcorn123]

I was finding fun in watching KZbin and movies and all that scrolling but what I truly find is that when I step aside from all that and concentrate on work and sense of completing the tasks makes me more joyful than all those stuff.

[@ngauhung279]

wow. good job. Thank you for sharing.

[@JollieMusic]

I needed this today :) thank you for your speech !

[@user-fy3zg5bn9o]

Nicely put across.. You experience Fun...You live Life 😊

[@Mcthindi]

This first question & it answer hits you hard !

[@rajeshchicher3993]

Thanks for this talk Catherine! I somewhat feel guilty for having too much FUN- We are blessed in many ways because of that I have time for doing things everyday. I'm finding it very helpful in my business as well; not intended but people like to be with people who are happy. Keep up the good. Also, I liked the book you wrote How to break up with you phone. I would have chosen a different title ;o) LOL

[@graemeroberts2935]

Thank you, Catherine!

[@warrencanonigo]

I am thankful I have learned another meaning of fun.

[@Demi-8]

one of the best ted talks ever. loVED it

[@hshnmd5784]

thank you for this speech.

[@Wille-ti4vy]

Undoubtedly one of the best TED Talks!

[@NefliteArts]

For the past 2 months 'I have fun!' was my daily goal :D Here it is: the red underline and big circles drawn around my goal

[@drsandralamb]

Best talk! Interact more with human beings in real life @ 9 mins! Thank you for this talk 🙏

[@raquellefloch5805]

Finally, someone speaking up for FUN ! 💥👌💥👏👏👏

[@pharmclare]

I love fun. Definitely helpful information

[@udz5480]

I used to say and do this at work throughout my career and always got let go for not being corporate enough!

[@ernestodialogo329]

Fan bring tear of joy 😂 absolutely you right about thant. Thanks for Sharing you got Hi!

[@ambiencerockstar4645]

Fantastic simple layout for a healthy lifestyle. Well done Catherine🥰🥰😘😘

[@OutspokenOverload]

I TOTALLY AGREE! AND, I LOVE THIS WOMAN'S MIND AND PERSPECTIVE!!! 😍

[@suraj__7]

Those closing lines, "Fun is sunshine. It is a distillation of life's energy," were almost divine.

[@yessumify]

I wish I was Taking notes 📝 I think I'll rewatch and do it!

[@nandhini327]

Looks like she had a fun physically working out. Her arms are illuminating it.

[@richardgomez5008]

Great advice! Thanks for sharing!

[@j.m.b5441]

Great message! And even better arms!

[@TKJourney]

Thank you

[@s.p642]

Sometimes you can have fun on social media. My son and I enjoy watching travel videos together. We also plan upcoming trips and what places we want to visit through social media. I found out about Svalbard through social media and will be going there in December with my best friend.

[@elenkerobian7319]

Having fun is really helpful in every situation, be it work, study, everyday routine or something else. I remember when I was a kid and got ill in New Year my temperature increased and didn’t go down. The only thing that helped me was having fun. My family cheered me up, we gifted each other presents and had a lot of fun, then I noticed that I don’t feel high temperature. It really decreased, after that I understood that in every situation having fun is the best solution.

[@VenusLover17]

Love it!! Thanks so much

[@miteshbhagwant4615]

Her book is amazing Power Of Fun.

[@goddessqueenjahmela]

But does she give tips on how 🤔

[@sashamagician]

GREAT TALK !

[@nias3202]

Fun to watch! Thank you.

[@badjoj015]

Fun is like sunshine because true light is within. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Doesn't matter if they are dear or close to you. Prioritize your happiness because there are people out there who want to detriment that, people like narcissists, fake people, sneaky people who we thought that are good but are really bad for us and for everyone around. We must keep and stay with the light within ourselves.

[@davisthompson1154]

Hello Skaadi, how’s your day been, hope you’re having fun celebrating this weekend?

[@badjoj015]

@@davisthompson1154 Not sure if i'm talking to a bot or a "real" person but my weekend was boring yet peaceful, just how i like it to be. No complaints.

[@davisthompson1154]

@@badjoj015 Thanks for you message, I’m not a bot lol, my name is Davis, I’m glad you find your weekend peaceful as well, but why is it boring? What do you like to do in your spare time?

[@badjoj015]

@@davisthompson1154 Awesome! Hi Davis, how are u? Nice to meet you. It's boring because i didn't earn my freedom yet. Going thru something financial as well. I like to go out on adventures, be with nature, hiking, climbing, fishing, dirtbiking, workout, basically outdoorsy stuff

[@davisthompson1154]

@@badjoj015 Thank you 😊 nice to meet you too, oh now I understand why you said boring, I’m sorry to hear that, what kind of financial challenges if you don’t mind to share with me? Well I must admit you have a lot of nice activities to do, mine it’s Reading, horse riding, a bit obsessed with my workout and know a thing or two about cooking lol 😆 I also like outdoors etc

[@wyattcoe8825]

“Fun is sunshine” is the truest thing I’ve heard this week.

[@mylaidbacklife]

1. Reduce distractions 2. Increase connections by contacting more people. Eye contact with people and say hello. 3. Rebel. Break your own rules do something new surprise yourself! 4. Prioritise it!