I've been fighting the cause of leisure and enjoyment for over 30 years. We love to laugh and have fun but society sees it as a luxury that we don't have time to enjoy. The work ethic has a lot to answer for. Not because it dignifies work but because it puts leisure down. Four centuries ago, the 'protestant work ethic' decreed that idle hands were the work of the devil and that work was the honourable way to heaven. And today bosses still believe it! We might want work life balance but only if we keep work at the centre of life and fit fun in when and where we can.
So why is enjoyment important? Here's just a tip of the iceberg of the answers (and I will just deal with work-related reasons here):
- its the most natural form of stress management. When you lose yourself in an interest you love, your mind is transported away from problems and stress. Then add the following:
- it boosts self esteem, self confidence, self belief and our sense of self worth (which are often beaten down by work)
- it generates new emotional and mental energy to replace the energy we burn up at work. Without new energy we burn out.
- it energises the brain's capacity to process information
- it sparks commitment, enthusiasm, creativity, innovative thinking, lateral-thinking
- all this infects others around you
- it improves relationships, communication, and is a great form of conflict management.
