Why Fun Isn’t Optional: The Science of Joy During Healing

I never see this spoken about, so here’s a random blog based on my thoughts this past week. When you’re healing it can feel like your life has to be focused around that one goal. Everything is about “getting better.” The medical appointments, research and reading, the rest, diets and supplements, sleep routines and symptom tracking... Yes, that’s important, but something else is also essential… having fun.

I’m talking finding/creating joy. Carving out time for hobbies or exploring potential new hobbies or interests. Engaging in play. Whatever lights you up, even for a moment. Fun isn’t a luxury or a distraction. It’s medicine for your nervous system! It’s great for your brain and your overall wellbeing. It also gives you a break from focusing on healing/the problem.

Fun = Nervous System Regulation

When you are dealing with stress, trauma, anxiety etc, your nervous system can get stuck. Running in fight or flight mode. This appears as fatigue, brain fog, difficulty relaxing, irritability, or trouble sleeping.

Engaging in fun can help bring your nervous system back into a more balanced state. In fact, once we get focused on an enjoyable task, we often experience hypnosis trance! Watching TV, gardening, reading, yoga, cooking.

When you experience pleasure/joy, your brain releases:

  • Dopamine which motivates and energizes you

  • Endorphins natural painkillers that improve mood

  • Oxytocin which fosters connection and safety

  • Serotonin which stabilises mood and supports emotional resilience

These aren’t just your ‘feel good’ chemicals. They support healing by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone). This improves immune function and shift your body to ‘rest and digest’ mode.

Jen on an orange yoga mat, on a stony beach, in dancers yoga pose

Hobbies Rewire the Brain

Activities that you enjoy, poetry painting, dancing, knitting, playing an instrument, aren’t just fun. They also activate areas of the brain involved in learning, creativity, and problem solving.

People who engaged in creative hobbies reported greater positive emotions and life satisfaction in the days after - Journal of Positive Psychology.

People who regularly engage in leisure activities have lower blood pressure and healthier cortisol levels - Psychosomatic Medicine.

Even 20 minutes of doing something you love can help rewire the brain away from pain and fear, and towards connection, curiosity, and hope.

It’s Not About Productivity

When we’re unwell or struggling, it’s easy to fall into guilt about “wasting time.” But healing isn’t about constant productivity - it’s about creating the right environment for recovery.

You don’t have to be good at your hobby! You don’t have to turn it into a side hustle or a post on social media. The point is: joy for joy’s sake.

  • Sing badly in the shower

  • Make a mess with paints

  • Play a video game

  • Learn about the planets

  • Write bad poetry

Your body and brain will thank you.

Fun is not a reward for getting better. It’s part of how we get there.

So this is your permission slip to go do something just because it feels good. Especially when things feel hard. Especially when you think you don’t deserve it or you should be doing something more “productive.”

Fun is productive. For your healing. For your hope. For your life.

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Guest Blog: Calma with Janna