HOUSTON – When was the last time you had real fun?
If it takes too long to answer, experts say you may not be alone.
A new nationwide survey found nearly half of Americans say their lives are “lacking fun,” while 1 in 10 people said they cannot remember the last time they had a full day of fun.
Between work, bills, packed schedules, parenting responsibilities, and burnout, many adults say joy and leisure have fallen to the bottom of the priority list.
Houston therapist Dr. Elizabeth Miller says fun is not just something people want more of; it is something they need.
“Having fun and being able to set a life up to cultivate joy requires us to put it in the schedule,” Miller said.
She says many adults are stuck in “survival mode,” simply going through the motions without experiencing real joy or meaningful connection.
“Humans were designed to experience joy. We are designed to experience emotions, one of them being happiness,” Miller said. “We’re not supposed to just be in the grind, waking up, going to a job and not connecting with others.”
According to Miller, intentionally making time for fun can help reduce stress, strengthen relationships and improve mental health, especially for busy parents and working adults.
She says fun does not have to be expensive or extravagant. Simple activities like taking a walk with a friend, reading a book or trying a new hobby can make a big difference.
Miller also encourages people to spend less time watching others live through social media and focus more on participating in their own lives.
So how can people reintroduce fun into their routines?
Miller recommends thinking back to childhood moments when time seemed to fly by and identifying activities that brought genuine joy.
“Fun is something we have to create,” she said.