The Health Benefits of Having Fun at Every Age

The Scientific Benefits of F-U-N

Recent research has pointed to playtime as possessing a positive impact on health and well-being. In one study published the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, daily play was linked to better mood, and greater perceived coping effectiveness with general stressors among diabetes patients.¹  Another report from a UC Merced study team demonstrated that when people engage in leisure-time activity, they had lower stress levels, a better mood, a lower heart rate, and more psychological engagement. What’s more, these positive effects were shown to last for hours after the activity was over.²

Healthy Ways to Have a Good Time

These findings prove that living a long life can be all fun and games. So put fun—and your health—first by engaging in a variety of activities.

Exercise. Physical activity is a fun and powerful way to prevent and treat a number of chronic conditions, from cardiovascular disease to mental health.³ And with summer upon us, it’s the perfect time to get moving outdoors, which is infinitely more enjoyable than an indoor workout and actually better for you. According to a recent study, even a short stroll in nature improves working memory and concentration substantially more than completing the same walk inside.⁴ You can also take it up a notch by joining a summer softball league, a hiking club, or a community garden to start cultivating good times.

Socialize. Getting together with friends might be the most enjoyable activity of all. And it turns out that it’s also good for your health. A 2019 report in Innovation in Aging found that friendship not only influences psychological well-being but also helps maintain cognitive function and physical health in old age.⁵ And be sure that you and your friends get in as many laughs as possible because laughter and humor can have deep and long-lasting effects on your mental and physical health.⁶ So whether you go out dancing, join a new book club, or host an outdoor dinner party, socializing can work wonders for your health.

Galvanize. Stimulating your brain in fun and new ways can have a big impact on your cognitive health, especially as you age. A trial of adults aged 60 to 85 indicated that playing games significantly improved cognitive ability and effectively reversed the signs of aging.⁷ Thankfully, there’s no shortage of brain games like Wordle or Sudoku that you can easily download to your mobile device and play anywhere.

Tranquilize. Fun doesn’t always mean going all-out all of the time. There are plenty of enjoyable ways to unwind that are also good for your health. Some low-key pleasures like a spa day may be the just what the doctor ordered. That’s because spa treatments like massage can relax more than your muscles. Research shows that a single 45-minute massage can significantly decrease the body’s circulating levels of arginine-vasopressin—a hormone that constricts blood vessels and induces high blood pressure.⁸

Protect Your Health to Have More Fun

Of course, fun alone isn’t enough to maintain optimal health. But with a focused diet and a few effective supplements, you can continue having the time of your life at every age.

Nothing ruins the fun like an emergency trip to the bathroom. And stomach disturbances, such as gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, may be a sign that your gut microbiome is out of balance. Fortunately, you can get it back on track with a probiotic supplement like Kyo-Dophilus Daily Probiotic. A daily probiotic promotes healthy gastrointestinal function and can relieve occasional digestive discomfort, including diarrhea.⁹ But the benefits of probiotics don’t stop there. They’ve also been shown to improve allergies, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and immune function.¹⁰

A greens drink like Kyo-Green Greens Blend Powdered Drink Mix is a convenient way to make sure you’re getting the extra nutrients you need. Packed with vitamins and minerals, including A, C, K, and E, iron, magnesium, and calcium, as well as amino acids and antioxidants, Kyo-Green also boosts your energy while improving your health. For instance, one study revealed that taking a greens powder every day can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 8 percent.¹¹ Pretty impressive for a single beverage. Just mix in water or juice and you’re good to go with all the energy you need to maximize fun.

Finally, it’s hard to have a good time if you’re stressed and tired. But with a targeted combination of Aged Garlic Extract, which possess neuroprotective effects and reduces stress-related hormones, including cortisol;¹² GABA, a neurotransmitter linked to improved stress and sleep;¹³ and vitamins B1, B6, and B12 for energy and endurance,¹⁴  Kyolic Stress & Fatigue Relief Formula 101 can help fortify your immune system to shake off the stress and fatigue that can get in the way of those good times.

Incorporating fun into your daily routine is a great way to enjoy life and stay healthy. By prioritizing enjoyable activities and taking verified supplements, you can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and boost your quality of life regardless of age. So get the good times rolling and start living healthier today.

1. Van Vleet M. The importance of having fun: Daily play among adults with type 1 diabetes. J Soc Pers Relat. 2019;36(11–12):3695–710.
2. Zawadzki MJ. Real-Time Associations Between Engaging in Leisure and Daily Health and Well-Being. Ann Behav Med. 2015;49:605–15.
3. Ruegsegger GN. Health benefits of exercise. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine. 2018;8(7):a029694.
4. Boere K. Exercising is good for the brain but exercising outside is potentially better. Sci Rep. 2023;13:1140.
5. Blieszner R. Friendship in Later Life: A Research Agenda. Innovation in Aging. 2019;3(1):igz005.
6. Louie D. The Laughter Prescription: A Tool for Lifestyle Medicine. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016;10(4):262–7.
7. Ruegsegger GN. Health benefits of exercise. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine. 2018;8(7):a029694.
8. Rapaport MH. A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(10):1079–88.
9. Guarino A. Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhea. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2015;49:S37–45.
10. Abatenh E. Health benefits of probiotics. J Bacteriol Infec Dis. 2018;2(1):8–27.
11. Zhang J. The effect of fruit and vegetable powder mix on hypertensive subjects: a pilot study. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(3):101–6.
12. Hwang KA. Low temperature-aged garlic extract suppresses psychological stress by modulation of stress hormones and oxidative stress response in brain. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association. 2019;82(3):191–5.
13. Hepsomali P. Effects of Oral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Stress and Sleep in Humans: A Systematic Review. Front Neurosci. 2020;14:923.
14. Tardy AL. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228.

This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.