In our society, putting in a lot of effort and adopting a hustle mentality are highly regarded. We hear expressions like “no days off!” and see people praised for going above and beyond the call of duty to maximise their output. Making the most of our time and effort is admirable, but it’s also important to remember that when we work hard, we should also be able to play hard. Being busy is important, but so is actually enjoying yourself and having fun. One reason is that if we don’t take the time to relax and have fun, tension will continue to build up and can lead to burnout and even lower productivity.
Fun also has positive biological effects. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released when we are having fun. By encouraging positivity, dopamine can make us feel happier and less stressed. Finally, having fun allows us to socialise with others and build relationships with them. We are more enjoyable to be around when we are engaged in enjoyable activities, and when we do these activities with others, we can create lifelong memories that will make us happy forever.
You as a parent want to ensure that your teen is not sitting around doing nothing all day. But you should also allow your teen to have fun! Consider the strain your child is experiencing as a result of juggling school, extracurricular activities, exam preparation, volunteer work, household responsibilities, and after-school jobs. If they spend all of their time working on this and making plans for the future, they won’t have time to simply be kids or to release the stress and strain they are feeling.
