How to Have more Fun? Go Play!
Adult Play Isn’t Silly—It’s a Health Strategy (with Toni Christopher + Sarah McMahon)
In this episode, I’m on a mission:
To help you have an aha about adult play—and stop treating it like it’s frivolous, childish, or a waste of time.
Because play isn’t extra.
Play is necessary.
To help us get there, I brought in the forces (yes, the forces!):
Toni Christopher — Executive Director of the National Institute for Play, a nonprofit advocating for society’s understanding and application of play. Toni shares research, play science, and why play matters far more than we’ve been taught.
Sarah McMahon — Actress, improv educator, relationship coach (Playful Partnerships), and creator of the Playdate Deck, a card deck designed to help adults bring play into relationships in real-life ways.
The opposite of play isn’t work… it’s depression.
Yep. Toni drops that truth—and backs it with what research says happens when adults stop playing:
increased stress impact
less flexibility (emotionally and mentally)
more rigidity
more pessimism
more risk of depression
And the beautiful news?
Play is retrainable. If you’ve lost it—you can get it back.
Play lives in older brain systems (with emotion)
As we age, our cortex (“the general”) gets wired with rules, responsibility, and filters
We start filtering out play with “not now” thinking: time, money, mess, fear, what people think
Plus—many adults didn’t grow up with much free play, which makes it harder to access naturally later.
👫 What Play Changes in Relationships
Sarah shares what she sees in couples: play is intimate. And when it disappears, connection fades.
Fear of rejection (initiating play feels vulnerable)
Digital distractions
Mismatched timing
Mental load + stress
Different “cultures of play” (you and your partner may have learned play differently)
Sarah teaches improv skills that strengthen relationships.🎴 The Playdate Deck Game We Played
Game 1: That’s Awesome (Appetizer)
Say something true (small or big).
Everyone responds: “That’s awesome!” + fist bump.
Why it works: It builds trust, acceptance, and relational safety—and creates a playful container.
Give your partner a playful “award,” accept it, then say:
“I couldn’t have done it without you…”
…and continue with playful praise (or let it get heartfelt if it naturally does).
Create a shared “remember when” story—about something you never actually did.
Each person adds a detail (“yes, and…”).
Why it works: You’re building a positive memory on purpose—and your brain starts wiring play + connection together.
***
If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
www.minddoodles.ca
treena@minddoodles.ca
***
Thank you to our special guests:
National Institute for Play website www.nifplay.org
Subscribe to our newsletter or, more generally, follow the institute https://nifplay.org/subscribe/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/playinstitute/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-national-institute-for-play/
https://www.saradelighted.com/playfulpartners
The Playdate Deck
https://www.saradelighted.com/the-playdate-deck
Anyone local to Seattle, here is the link for upcoming couple's workshop
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-date-night-registration-1608081267359?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
🎧 Make 2026 Your Year of Fun
What would it look like to make fun, laughter, and play a must-have—not a nice-to-have?
The Year of Fun isn’t a resolution that fizzles by February.
It’s a practice.
A necessity.
A health strategy.
Fun is good for your body, your mind, and your performance at work and in life.
It builds energy, resilience, and vibrancy—so when life gets hard (and it will), your cup is already full.
We talk about physical health.
We talk about mental health.
It’s time we start normalizing Fun Health.
And the truth is—fun looks different for everyone, and it changes with every stage of life.
Your Year of Fun isn’t about doing more.
It’s about feeling more alive in the life you already have.
No guilt.
No judgment.
No Instagram fun comparisons.
Because you deserve to feel alive, passionate, and vibrant—and so do the people you impact.
Fun is a lifelong experiment.
It evolves with you.
Thanks for being a Fun Fan and helping grow the Global FUN Movement.
Now let’s make this year YOUR Year of Fun 🎉
***
If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
www.minddoodles.ca
treena@minddoodles.ca
Helping people and organizations find more fun in their lives or workplaces to improve their health, wellness and performance.
How to have more fun---even as a workaholic.
Do you ever catch yourself saying things like. "I don’t have time for fun.”
“Work is my fun.”
“I’ll relax once things settle down.”
“Fun can wait… maybe when I retire.”
If that sounds familiar, this episode is foryou.
Today, we’re digging into the W word: workaholic.
And the truth might surprise you…
Research shows 15–30% of adults display workaholic tendencies—and the impact is real.• 30% report sleep problems and chronic exhaustion
• Workaholics are 3x more likely to burn out
• Higher rates of anxiety, headaches, stomach issues, and muscle tension
• And… 56% say they simply “don’t have time for fun”
Fun friend, that breaks my heart—because funisn’t optional. It’s fuel.
🎧 Meet Today’s Guest: Marc Mawhinney
My guest today is Marc Mawhinney:
• Coach, business mentor, and longtime host of the Natural Born Coaches podcast
• Self-proclaimed workaholic (his own words!)
Marc joins me for a deeply honest conversationabout his own work habits, guilt patterns, mindset loops, and the challenge of letting fun back into life when work feels all-consuming.
🧠 What We Explore in This Episode:
• The real definition of workaholism
And why it’s not just about hours worked—it’s the mental inability to turn off.
• How guilt, productivity pressure, and “I should be working” loops sabotage fun
Marc shares how even reading a book at 7pm triggers an internal “lazy” alarm.
How to have fun? Kick getting judged to the curb!
Are you holding yourself back from fun because you worry about feeling awkward, embarrassed, or judged?
You’re not alone — almost 70% of adults avoid fun because they’re afraid of what other people will think.
In this episode, we dig into why judgement is the #1 fun killer (hint: it’s not lack of time)…
and 3 simple tools you can use to kick that judgie feeling to the curb so you can get back to your FUN.
You’ll learn 3 game-changing habits:
✨ The Two-Second Rule
✨ The “Say It Out Loud” fear-shrinker
✨ Describing yourself differently
Try just one this week and watch your confidence grow.
If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who needs more fun, less fear, and a lot less judgement.
Take the Just How Lively Are You? Quiz at https://form.typeform.com/to/cHJJtiOM
***
If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
The Doctor’s Prescription: More Fun, Less Stress.
Knowing that FUN has a mountain of health rewards like:
* Managing Stress
* Reducing Burnout
* Improving Digestion... and even sleep!
💊 If fun could be prescribed in a pill, would you take it every day?
What would the side effects be?
*improved resilience
*anti-aging, improved vitality
*reduction of anxiety
Doctors know the science of health, but how do they manage stress and burnout themselves? And what happens when they prescribe fun, laughter, and play to their patients?
🎧 In this must-listen episode, real physicians open up about:
✅ Fun is being overlooked in wellness.
✅ Moral dilemmas hinder prioritizing fun.
✅ Why fun is essential(not optional!) for stress relief
Science-backed fact: Fun can lower blood pressure, improve immunity, and even reduce pain. So why aren’t we prioritizing it?
Be the first to listen & don’t miss this game-changing episode to benefit your health and wellness.
***
If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Ever wondered how many Mondays you have left to live? 😳
Or why we keep saying “why?” instead of “why not?” when it comes to fun, joy, and actually living?
In this powerful (and laugh-filled) episode of The Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, Treena Innes sits down with author, speaker, and fun-spirit twin Jodi Wellman, creator of the Mondays Left to Live Calculator and author of You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End With No Regrets.
This episode will make you laugh… and then immediately rethink how you’re spending your life.
Jodi breaks down the research on aliveness, vitality, and meaning — and why 85% of adults are not living as fully as they think they are.
Treena challenges Jodie to track how many times she says why versus why not.
The results? Hilarious… and painfully relatable.
Treena shares how discovering a brand-new element in the Middle East changed her sense of vitality — and how yours can too.
This episode reframes death as the wake-up call we all need.
You’re feeling stuck, flat, or low-spark
You want to live more vibrantly (but keep putting it off)
You’re committed to living a regret-free life
“You only die once. So why aren’t we living while we’re alive?” — Jodi
Special thank you to Jodi for bringing her laughing A game and reminding us to live life right now.
You will love her book! https://fourthousandmondays.com/book/
And you have to see how many Mondays you have left to live it up: https://fourthousandmondays.com/resources/
***
If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Ever wonder how to have more fun in your life?
Two words: Embrace Weird.
In this episode of The Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, Life Fun Expert Treena Innes cracks open the power of weirdness—why it’s misunderstood, why adults hide it, and why embracing it might be the fastest way to boost your joy, energy, confidence, creativity, and wellbeing.
This episode is part storytelling, part psychology, and part permission slip to finally live life in technicolor instead of beige.
Why “weird” is actually a strength (not a flaw)
How conformity drains your fun, spark, and vitality
Why embracing authenticity boosts mental health, confidence, and emotional energy
How “weird friends” pull you out of ruts, burnout, and midlife beige
How judgment—especially self-judgment—kills fun
Treena reads from the first chapter of her book, Mind Doodles, This is What I know, Chapter 1: Embrace Weird, exploring:
The colors of weirdness (spoiler: vibrant hot pinks + glowing oranges)
How adult life quietly erases our uniqueness
What happens to the “weird kids” when they grow up
Why weirdness equals self-confidence, playfulness, surprise, and creativity
If you’ve been feeling stuck, dull, judgment-filled, or disconnected from fun—this episode will wake something back up.
Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Ever felt that little nudge to try something fun and new—
✨ a dance class
✨ a creative hobby
✨ meeting new friends
or finally doing that thing you’ve talked about for months…
…and then somehow… it still doesn’t happen?
Ugh.
Same.
And it’s not your fault.
In this week’s episode, I break down why your brain makes trying something new so ridiculously hard, even when your spirit knows it will ignite your joy, energy, spark, and vibrancy.
I share two evidence-based moves from positive psychology that will actually help you follow through and make your new fun finally happen.
This episode is part science, part story, part permission slip… and part hilarious confession as I share the two new things I secretly tried (including a medium and a rock/pop choir… yes, really 🤘🎤).
Your brain is wired for comfort and predictability—but also wired to love novelty. So why the conflict? I explain the psychology behind the “I want to, but I just don’t” phenomenon that keeps so many adults stuck.
Spoiler:
🔹 Microdose Your Fun
🔹 Tell No One
These two strategies calm your nervous system, bypass perfection pressure, reduce fear, and create the spark of momentum you need.
I share the real stories—raw, honest, joyful:
🌟 My private visit to a modern medium (and what she told me about the Fun Movement)
🌟 My secret audition for a rock/pop singing group (and what it felt like to sing with 50 strangers at full volume)
You judge yourself for “not following through”
You want to feel more alive, energized, and vibrant
You’re ready to try something new… but want support to actually do it
Pick one thing you’ve always wanted to try.
Tell no one.
Do one micro-action toward it.
Then see what happens.
And when you’ve done it?
Email me at treena@minddoodles.ca and tell me everything. I want to celebrate your new fun with you!
💌 Join the Global FUN Movement: Get stories, tools, and tips to live lively by joining the email list www.minddoodles.ca
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Feeling stuck on how to actually have fun as a busy adult?
In this lively Ask me Anything “Finding Your Fun Fix” session, host Treena Innes (your Life Fun Expert) coaches Kristen —a single mom of two sporty kids and an HR leader—through practical, science-backed ways to rediscover her fun (not just kid fun or work fun).
You’ll learn how Play Personalities, anti-fun triggers, and The Fun Habit framework can help you build sustainable, guilt-free fun into everyday life—without turning it into more “work.”
Don't miss this:
Why “kid fun” & “work fun” aren’t enough—and how to design your fun so it’s energizing, not another obligation.
Anti-fun: how well-intentioned activities can secretly drain your batteries—and what to do instead.
Special thanks to Kristen for sharing her fun journey with the world. Check out her podcast, Ambitious Time Management: Strategies for Working Moms ❤️
https://open.spotify.com/show/41gw8m0RJLiRpIAcIazk6H?si=d598c6ba9b41436e
💌 Join the Global FUN Movement: Get stories, tools, and tips to live lively by joining the email list www.minddoodles.ca
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Ever wonder why some adults can’t wait to dress up for Halloween while others avoid the costume party altogether?
In this episode of The Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, Treena digs into what costumes reveal about our personalities, our “fun wiring,” and even our health.
We explore the science, psychology, and play behind Halloween—because whether you’re team witch hat or team no thanks, there’s a reason behind your reaction.
✨ The Science of Play: Learn how your Play Personality (based on Dr. Stuart Brown’s National Institute for Play research) determines whether costumes feel exciting or exhausting.
🧠 The Psychology of Fun: Discover why some people thrive on self-expression while others feel awkward or self-conscious—and how stress and burnout can drain our capacity for play.
🌈 The Fun Health Reframe: See how honouring your own style of fun—whether that’s full-on costumes, cozy pumpkin soup, or skipping it all—can boost mood, resilience, and energy.
💡 Fun Fact:
Only about 1 in 3 adults plan to dress up this year—and of those, only 1 in 3 say they actually enjoy picking a costume.
The top three adult choices? Witch, Vampire, and Cat.
Treena also shares her own take on the “Fun or Not Fun” debate—and a costume theme that might surprise you.
Because fun isn’t frivolous—it’s fuel for your health, vitality, and joy.
💌 Join the Global FUN Movement:
Get stories, tools, and tips to live lively by joining the email list www.minddoodles.ca
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Do you ever feel guilty for not being productive?
Like if you’re not doing, you’re somehow failing?
In this week’s Ask Me Anything: Finding Your Fun Fix session, Treena sits down with Shelly — a mom of two newly launched college kids — who’s stepping into the world of empty nesting and trying to rediscover her kind of fun… guilt-free.
Together, they talk about the invisible weight that many women carry in this stage of life — the constant doing, caregiving, and achieving — and how that can push fun to the very bottom of the to-do list.
✨ How to prioritize fun (and let go of the guilt that comes with it)
📋 How “tick-boxers” can turn their productivity habits into tools for fun
💡 Why fun isn’t frivolous — it’s fundamental to mental and physical wellness
Shelly shares how she’s learning to replace her daily checklist with moments of joy — from starting a Fun Board to launching a 30-day photo project that helps her see beauty in her new phase of life.
Treena reminds us that if fun came in a pill, we’d all take it daily.
It boosts our mood, strengthens resilience, balances hormones, and even helps us sleep and digest better.
Fun doesn’t erase your responsibilities — it helps you carry them better.
When you make fun a daily habit and a true priority,
you don’t just lift yourself up —
you lift the world around you.
Thank you to the lovely Shelly Niehaus for sharing her quest for finding FUN in in her life and host of Midlife Made Simple: Faith and Purpose for Christian Women. This is a podcast for women 40+ navigating midlife transitions—from empty nest and caring for aging parents to menopause, reinvention, and beyond. Host Shelly Niehaus offers faith-based encouragement, practical tools, and soulful strategies to help you rediscover your identity, simplify life, and find purpose in this season.
If this speaks to you, have a listen!
https://open.spotify.com/show/1se1r8xUZofKtPjx128HNw?si=c587d525a31242e1
***
✉️ Get more stories, tips + tools on building fun habits right to your inbox → www.minddoodles.ca
🚀 Ready for a deeper dive? Join my Fun Formula Program (14-day kickstart or 90-day coaching) → email me at treena@minddoodles.ca
🌍 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that fun is a must-have, not a nice-to-have
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Do you know what lights you up—what brings you joy and gives you energy—but still find yourself not laughing or having fun every day?
Or not as much as you want? Or as much as you should?
You’re not alone.
We all feel better when fun is part of our daily lives. Life feels clearer. Brighter. More vibrant and full. ✨
If you’re ready to learn how to make fun a habit and build more energy, passion, and vibrancy into your everyday life, then this episode of the Finding Fun Experiment Podcast is for you.
How to reflect on your Living Lively Vision and align it with what actually energizes you
The role of “anti-fun” (yes, it’s real!) and how to avoid the activities that drain you
Simple reflection practices to help you do more of what sparks joy and less of what makes you feel “meh”
This is Session 5 in my 10-part Finding Fun Formula Program, designed to help you go from blah + meh to woo-hoo!
Hit Episode #3, #6, #7, and #16 to follow the step-by-step program.
Fun isn’t frivolous—it’s fuel. Science shows fun improves mental health, lowers stress, boosts creativity, and enhances performance. When you consistently align your life with your Fun Personality, you don’t just feel better—you become more vibrant, energized, and connected.
✉️ Get weekly tips + tools on building fun habits → www.minddoodles.ca
🚀 Ready for a deeper dive? Join my Fun Formula Program (14-day kickstart or 90-day coaching) → email me at treena@minddoodles.ca
🌍 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that fun is a must-have, not a nice-to-have
🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark
👉 Follow on Apple & Spotify for more weekly tools to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.
Because when you make fun a daily habit, the world doesn’t just look brighter—you feel brighter.
How many times have you ended your day thinking it was missing excitement, sparkle, or pizzazz?
Maybe you were too tired… maybe it was the same old routine… but deep down you wished it felt different.
What if the answer was as simple as understanding what actually amps you up—your Fun Personality?
In this episode of the Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, I, Treena Innes—Your Life Fun Expert—walk you through the 4 unique Fun Personality Types and show you how knowing your type can transform your daily energy, passion, and vibrancy.
If you need to, head back to episode #3, #6 and #7 to follow the step-by-step program.
This is Session 4 in my 10-part Finding Fun Formula Program, designed to help you shift from blah + meh to woo-hoo!
✨ In this episode, you’ll discover:
The 4 Fun Personality Types: The Enthusiast, The Pathfinder, The Free Spirit, and The Socializer
Take the Fun Calculator Here: https://michaelrucker.com/having-fun/fun-type-calculator/
How each type experiences joy, laughter, and play differently
Reflection prompts to help you realign your daily life with your Fun Personality
💛 Keep the fun going:
Sign up at www.minddoodles.ca for weekly tips, tools, and inspiration on making fun a daily habit
Ready for your own finding fun in your life journey? I offer a 14-day kickstart and a 90-day program—email me at treena@minddoodles.ca to learn more
Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that fun is fuel for life!
🎵 Music credit: Special thanks to Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark for their lively, joy-filled tunes.
👉 Follow the podcast on Apple and Spotify so you don’t miss future episodes. Together, let’s crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN—because the world is brighter, lighter, and healthier when we all make fun a priority.
Thank you to Dr. Mike Rucker, author of The Fun Habit who teaches us the science why fun habits are good for us. https://michaelrucker.com/
In this special Ask Me Anything edition of the Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, I sit down with Tara—a mom of two teenagers, at a career crossroads, and ready to reignite her spark. Like so many of us, Tara found herself needing more fun, laughter, and play woven into her daily life.
Together, we dive into her personal Finding Your Fun Fix Session, where I guide her through tools from my Living Lively Framework—including the power of saying “Why Not?” to the fun that lights her up, and “Why” to the things that drain her energy.
✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:
How to uncover your authentic vision for fun and make it effortless
Practical strategies to break down roadblocks and laugh more every day
How one woman’s journey can inspire YOU to start your own fun reset
If Tara’s story resonates with you, imagine what your own Fun Formula Program could unlock. You don’t have to figure it out alone—sometimes you just need a little spark, a little guidance, and a whole lot of laughter.
👉 Inquiry about your own 14-day or 90-day Fun Formula Program here: https://minddoodles.ca/fun-formula/
Heartfelt thank you for Tara for sharing her FUN journey with you and being part of the global Fun Movement.
💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today. FOLLOW and keep downloading for more FUN inspiration in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
Are you thinking you have to re-define what fun looks like after 50?
You are not wrong.
But maybe it really isn't about re-defining fun, but re-setting your own expectations on fun after 50.
This episode explores the evolving nature of fun and life after 50, featuring insights from three vibrant women at different stages of their lives making FUN rules after 50.
The conversation delves into personal experiences, challenges, and the importance of self-awareness and communication in maintaining a vibrant life.
Your take-aways are learning:
1) How to get hungry for fun
2) Prioritizing fun at this age could be harder
3) Just say "yes" and figure out how to make it happen
***
💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today.
FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
Thank you to sponsor Marc Cordon aka wing man who is all things helping change makers make impact in this world www.joyrevolution.com
Ever feel like you’ve lost your spark?
And you really want it back!
You’re not alone—so many of us get stuck here regularly.
But here’s the good news: your spark isn’t gone… it just needs a little fuel.
In this episode of The Finding Fun Experiment Podcast, host Treena Innes shares two simple, science-backed tools that can instantly shift your energy and bring back your zest for life.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How random acts of kindness not only boost your mood but also inspire ripple effects of positivity
Why sharing kindness stories multiplies the joy for both giver and receiver
The science of music + dopamine and why upbeat tunes can change your state in minutes
How to create a “morning playlist ritual” that sets the tone for your entire day
💡 These aren’t lofty ideas. They’re practical tools you can try today to feel more alive, connected, and vibrant.
***
💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today.
FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
“I feel my days are on a rinse and repeat cycle – of the same ole, same ole”
“I am no longer feeling excited regularly – and I really miss that feeling”
“I am worried that I am in a rut, that I can’t seem to get out of”
Is this all sounding familiar?
Or you are fighting hard to not have it be familiar?
In this Fun Quickie episode, I’m diving into the power of what I call a “life exit”—stepping away from the motherload of demands to reset your energy, creativity, and zest for life.
I’ve just returned from Europe and can feel the difference in every part of me—more clarity, more fire in my belly, more creativity buzzing through my veins.
And here’s the thing: these exits don’t have to be epic vacations. They can be small, intentional breaks woven into your week.
Science shows that stepping out of routine and detaching from daily stressors can:
Boost overall well-being by 20%–40% immediately after the break
Increase vitality by 20%–30% after just one play day
Improve mood by 65% and energy by 35%
Life exits don’t have to be dramatic. Try:
Weekly play rituals → Saturday play days, community classes, or even a spontaneous YES day
Midweek resets → No-tech Wednesday nights, reading at a café, or unplugging from social media
Seasonal getaways → A vacation or mini break to recharge more deeply
The key is to break the routine and build in psychological detachment.
Detachment – mentally switching off from work and pressures
Relaxation – letting your body and mind recharge
Mastery – learning or trying something new
Control – choosing how you spend your time
When you combine these, you create a powerful formula for re-energizing your life.
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💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today.
FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
Scandinavia Keeps Crushing the World Happiness Game
Ever wonder why Scandinavia consistently ranks as one of the happiest places on Earth according to the World Happiness Report? 🌍
In this eye-opening episode, we’re cracking the code on what makes Nordic countries thrive in happiness year after year.
What is their secret sauce to living lively?
And we’re not just talking numbers—we’re diving straight into the real-life experiences of two locals who live and breathe this vibrant way of life.
🎙What’s Inside This Episode?
✅ The Secret to Scandinavian Happiness – Trust, simplicity, and a deep sense of community
✅ Lagom: The Art of Balance – How ‘just the right amount’ creates a life of fulfillment
✅ Coffee Culture & Social Connections – Why cozy gatherings and daily rituals matter
This isn’t just a feel-good chat—it’s a blueprint for a livelier life.
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💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today.
FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
Did you know, over 80% of people are eager for off the beat travel experiences.
In this episode, Treena discusses the joys of traveling off the beaten path, emphasizing the importance of unique experiences that helps your zest for life.
She shares various travel styles, from adventure and romance to experiential and local immersion, encouraging listeners to explore the world in ways that match with their personal interests.
Treena's insights aim to inspire a more vibrant and lively approach to travel, making it a meaningful part of life.
Take-aways:
1) There are 11 off-the-beaten-path travel styles to consider
2) Why this type of travel can improve your vibrancy
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💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today.
FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵
In this special Ask Me Anything edition of The Finding Fun Experiment, I sit down with Merion—an empty nester, world traveler, executive career woman, wife, grandma, and newly-turned 60-year-old—who’s on a mission to bring more fun, laughter, and play into her life.
Her challenge?
Too many roadblocks:
A demanding career
Limited time
Feeling like she has no creative ideas for fun
Not prioritizing fun
Overthinking it
If you’ve ever felt the same, you’ll love this session. Together, we uncover practical strategies to help Merion (and YOU) get back on the path to living lively—where fun is natural and effortless.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
📝 The simple “Fun List” tactic to generate endless fun ideas
🧠 Why writing things down makes you 40% more likely to do them
🎯 How to rewire your brain to look for joy, play, and connection
🎉 The importance of anticipation in building a fun habit
✨ Want your own Finding Fun Fix Session?
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💛Share with someone who could use this living lively inspiration today. FOLLOW and keep downloading for more tools and tips to finding more fun in your life.
For a deeper dive on finding more FUN in your life or organization, sign up for my emails that will give you tools, tips and tricks on finding fun right to your inbox:
CLICK here for more ideas to find fun in your life. 🎉
Thank YOU for being part of the FUN Movement, inspiring a world to make fun a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert
Teaching people and organizations how to make fun a habit in their lives or workplaces to improve their wellness, performance and vibrancy. www.minddoodles.ca
If you enjoyed the music on this episode from Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark check more of their lively tunes here. 🎵