An Ode to Having Fun
the soul wellness way
Over the past few years, I’ve learned that I need to schedule time to let loose. It’s essential to my wellbeing.
It can be a scheduled trip, night out with friends, or complete disassociation from work for a short period of time.
This past weekend I had a dear friend’s bachelorette party in New York City. It’s been on the calendar for months, and through my recovery of breast reduction surgery, I had it to look forward to.
All the girls showed up wholeheartedly. That’s the thing with having fun — you can’t half-ass it. In order to reap its’ benefits, one must show up like they would to an important meeting, or to a favorite workout class. It’s a scheduled, necessary, very important meeting.
BENEFITS OF HAVING FUN
Reduces stress
Can make you more energetic and youthful. George Bernard Shaw said: We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing
Fosters new ideas and concepts for learning
Improves relationships, both at work and in life: “We are alike, we share values”
Increased productivity
Improved social skills
True wellness is knowing what makes you feel the happiest in your soul, and the best in your body. It’s not *only* the depiction of wellness on social media. It’s about being truthful with yourself, while really taking honest inventory of what lights you up, what makes you happy, and where you need to set boundaries in order to thrive.
The trite expression, It’s all about balance doesn’t come from nowhere. I think the expression is up for interpretation, and I don’t always agree with its usage but I digress!
If you have a wellness goal in mind, and you're working to reach it, there will be boundaries that need to be set. If you’re in a space where you need joy and laughter, then boundaries to achieve those goals will be necessary.
One of my favorite quotes ever is by Walt Disney When our values are clear, our decision making is easy. I used to see it hanging in the back of Hillstone every shift I worked for six years in Midtown Manhattan.
When our values are clear, all other things that don’t fit will fall by the wayside. Note that goals and values are different. Our goals will change throughout the cycles of our life, and our values will remain our north star throughout it.
Both should be chosen wisely an intentionally.
SOUL READS
What self-care is and isn’t. I share my take in this piece published last week by Michele Ross.
Shauna is a holistic nutritionist, wellness chef, and the mastermind behind Soul Wellness Method, a holistic wellness program popular among the stars & her online community. In addition to cooking and curating delicious and nutritious meal plans for high-profile clients in Los Angeles, NYC, and worldwide, Shauna is viewed as a pioneer on social media for her approachable wellness tips, recipes, and day-to-day modern wellbeing. She has been featured in leading publications such as Vogue, Us Weekly, Poosh, Pop Sugar, and many others.
Thank you so much for being here. It means the world. Until next week xShauna
Loving this philosophy of showing up for fun like you show up to work!