Play, Don’t Push – How Dwelling in the Energy of Fun Will Strengthen Your Health
- Brainz Magazine
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Written by Kate Castro, Singer/Songwriter/Keynote Speaker
Kate Castro is known for her resilient mindset and founder of SenseK8 LLC. She is a singer, songwriter, and keynote speaker who teaches people the importance of embracing uncertainty during adversity to lead a happier life. You can see Kate in the 2025 fall TV series of “Women In Power.”
Life often feels overly serious, and many of us live each day that way. I’ve been there, and I know how exhausting it can be. The truth is, we’re here not just to work but to experience joy and fulfillment. Whatever you believe in, God, the universe, your intuition, or another source or they want us to thrive. Life was never meant to be all grind and no enjoyment.
For years, I chased the next milestone so intensely that I overlooked the beauty of the process. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of rushing, finish one project quickly, get paid, and/or feel a sense of achievement, then move on to the next. That pressure causes stress, drains creativity, and definitely takes the fun out of the process.
Suppose you’ve been pushing for progress or living in constant rush. In that case, this article offers practical strategies to help you slow down, rediscover joy, and reconnect with your passion, whether you’re an artist with an unclear deadline or an executive leading a Fortune 500 company.
Many people think adulthood means giving up playfulness, mainly because life feels demanding. From school to work and financial duties, family and societal pressures often push us toward strict goals, owning a house, keeping up appearances, and seeking approval from others. This never-ending chase for validation (some people don’t even realize they want it) drains energy, raises stress, and creates anxiety and indecision. Living in this constant hustle leaves little room for joy or spontaneity.
Give yourself permission to play. After reading this article, do something you enjoy, even if it’s for five minutes.
The impact that having fun has on your health
Mental benefits
Reduces stress and anxiety: Engaging in enjoyable activities releases endorphins and lowers cortisol, promoting overall well-being.
Boosts brain function: Challenging activities enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
Improves mood and motivation: Fun experiences foster positivity, reduce hopelessness, and boost self-motivation.
Enhances creativity: Play stimulates imagination and encourages innovative thinking.
Fosters resilience: Joyful activities strengthen coping skills and adaptability.
Throughout my research and personal experience, I’ve discovered that these are just some of the mental benefits of having fun. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, whether it’s the energy of the world or the seriousness of a situation close to me, I make a point to do something silly. It’s not always easy to get into a playful mindset, but it’s necessary for me to shift out of a heavy, low-frequency state of mind. When life feels like a constant struggle, paying bills, maintaining relationships, and keeping up with the Joneses, joy can seem out of reach. Living in fear of not having enough reinforces that belief, keeping you stuck in a state of lack. Yet challenges, whether in childhood or adulthood, are not roadblocks, they are opportunities. If you change how you view obstacles, you'll see them differently. They teach resilience, independence, and remind us that everything is temporary. Through trial and error, we grow, learn, and often achieve our best results. Effort matters, but not at the complete expense of fun because joy fuels creativity, courage, and progress. At some point in everyone’s life, something happens that makes life real, such as accidents, illnesses, and other wake-up calls. During my chemotherapy and cancer journey, there was definitely pain, both mental and physical. Acknowledging its presence and dealing with the discomfort isn't optional, but how I handled my mental state was my choice. I decided to have fun. Getting glammed up and going out with friends and my husband is my favorite activity, so I kept doing it throughout chemotherapy and other treatments. The picture here of a cocktail I held in my hand was taken two days after my second infusion. I named the drink “The SophistiKated". Embracing my silliness helped me navigate being sick and allowed my husband and family to feel lighter and worry less about my well-being. I believed I was going to beat it, that A-hole cancer, so they believed it too!
Physical benefits
Improved cardiovascular health: Fun and laughter have been linked to lower
blood pressure, improved function of blood vessels, and a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
Stronger immune system: Positive emotions and laughter decrease stress hormones and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, improving your resistance to disease.
Pain relief: Endorphins released during enjoyable activities can temporarily relieve pain and promote an overall sense of well-being.
Better sleep: Engaging in fun and playful activities helps the body relax and reduces anxiety, leading to improved sleep quality.
Increased energy and reduced burnout: Taking breaks for fun serves as a mental and emotional reset, helping manage fatigue, boosting energy levels, and preventing burnout.
Maintenance of healthy weight: Enjoyable activities often involve physical movement and can positively influence healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise and a better diet, which help maintain a normal body weight.
How to get out of the mentally low vibrations to reach the playful state of mind
1. PBS method
My Pause, Breathe, Shift Method can be used here. I discussed this method in my Brainz Magazine article, “How to Overcome Yourself to Experience a Better Life.” You can apply my PBS method to different situations in life. When you feel anxious or experience any other low vibrations, you can consciously pause to become aware of your current frequency. Then, take a few deep breaths to calm your body and mind. Once you’re aware and ready to shift into a different state, shift to a more positive feeling.
2. Let go of the fear of being judged
When you truly think about it, caring about others' opinions is pointless because they don't live your life! People aren’t thinking about us or what we do for more than a second anyway. About 14 years ago, when my stepchildren first started to get to know me, they thought I was such a dork. They weren’t used to an adult acting silly, often saying, “Kate, you’re a big kid.” I loved that! Embracing childlike qualities, rather than childishness, keeps our playful spirit alive. I’m committed to keeping this energy alive forever. Living in constant seriousness isn’t the way to enjoy life.
3. Let go of control
Embrace spontaneity, it’s freeing. Some of the most unforgettable moments in life happen unexpectedly. Joy doesn’t have to cost money, even simple, playful activities at home can lift your spirits. During tough times, I intentionally chose to seek out joy and laughter to change my energy. Watching stand-up comedy on platforms like Netflix or Hulu often made me laugh out loud, sparking creativity and helping me get through long-delayed projects. I also share this lively energy with friends and family because happiness is the best gift we can give others.
4. Loosen your grip on certain outcomes
Needing things to work out a certain way causes no room for detours or other ways of doing things, and it can be debilitating when things go awry.
In The Fun Habit: How the Disciplined Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life, published in January, psychologist Mike Rucker makes the case that the pursuit of fun experiences may be even more valuable than seeking the sometimes abstract goal of happiness.
Throughout my life, music and dancing have given me powerful moments of joy. My friends actually nicknamed me “Kitchen Kate” because I ended up dancing in the kitchen at any get-together we had. Keeping this playful energy alive and well, I created a song in 2022, “In The Kitchen.” I had a blast creating this song and video!
Please enjoy as you listen and feel the playful, sexy vibe of the lyrics and the record's rhythm.
It’s tough for some people to let go because being silly isn't really their style. If that's you, try it
gradually.
I’ll leave this article with the quote from Robert Anton Wilson. “You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you.”
You can't be annoyed and have fun at the same time. Loosen up! I know it’s hard sometimes, especially when you're stressed out. 2025 has not been easy. Finding fun or making time for silliness is so helpful!
To hear more of my songs, click here.
Read more from Kate Castro
Kate Castro, Singer/Songwriter/Keynote Speaker
Kate Castro is a singer, songwriter, and keynote speaker. A cancer diagnosis provoked a personal and spiritual awakening. Healing and transformation lead her to guide others to find what lights them up in life. Founder of SenseK8 LLC, living in possibility and embracing uncertainty is what Kate encourages others to experience. All challenges have the ability to be opportunities. You can see Kate in the 2025 fall TV series of “Women In Power.”
