Have you taken your silly supplement today?
Taking time for a daily moment of daftness could boost your immunity and relieve stress, hears Punteha van Terheyden
With fears over the cost of living, endless bills and the NHS groaning at the seams, life can feel overwhelming. But now psychologists are recommending that we all work some regular silliness into our routine, claiming this can not only bring moments of mental reprieve, but boost your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Eight million Brits are suffering from anxiety, while the root of anxious thinking is spending time either ruminating about the past or worrying about the future.
“Silliness falls under the umbrella of positive emotions which are powerful for wellbeing at every age,” explains psychologist Dr Meg Arroll, author of Tiny Traumas.
“Being silly anchors you in the moment and creates space to simply ‘be’ without worrying. Children are masters of silliness, enjoying harmless playfulness without feeling self-conscious.
“As adults, it may feel as though we lose our silliness, but it’s more the stress of adult responsibility knocking the desire to be silly out of us.
“Re-engaging with our childlike sense of silliness can be difficult, but research shows finding small pockets of emotional respite from stress can improve psychological resilience and physical wellbeing.”
Psychotherapist Katerina Georgiou and author of How to Understand and Deal with Stress, says: “There’s a reason for the phrase ‘a change is as good as a rest’.
“You might not be able to change the fact the bills are high, but you can open the window, make a funny noise and feel the summer breeze on your face, or choose to put odd socks on in the morning.”
She believes silliness is underrated.
“We have access to 24/7 news, which tends to be negative, and we’re collectively sitting with a sense of doom. We are prioritising seriousness but it’s important to acknowledge being silly has value, and there is a reason as humans that we have the capacity for it.
“Your particular type of silliness could be as simple as popping bubble wrap, watching a comedy or flicking paint messily on a page instead of being neat and tidy.”
Katerina stresses the importance of choosing to be silly in a way that feels good to you.
“Silliness is one way of accessing joy. It’s not a substitution for medications or therapies prescribed to you by doctors, but an extra tool in your mental health toolbox.” But can silliness be annoying to others? “Of course,” says Meg. “If the joke is on another person, it’s possible they won’t enjoy it, even if your intention wasn’t malicious.” Being truly silly in a harmless way is usually in the company of people we have a close, trusting relationship with. Meg adds: “True, harmless silliness is about embracing the moment and being spontaneous. A prank can be childish and emotionally harmful to others – very different from the childlike joy silliness brings us which doesn’t negatively impact others.”
It’s important to remember that while silliness is a great add-on, it shouldn’t never be forced.
“If you’re feeling complex emotions like anger, rage, despair, or grief, those feelings are valid, as is taking clinical care of mental illness. Silliness may not be something within your current capacity and that’s OK. It’s important we feel all our emotions, seek support and give ourselves time to process issues.
“For those in a deep level of despair, silliness and joy can feel difficult to generate, so give yourself the gift of time. If therapy and medication is the focus for improving your mental health, don’t skip it.
“But when you’re in a better space, silliness can become a great add-on to your usual self-care, like taking a walk, going to the gym and eating well.”
‘‘ True silliness is embracing the moment and being spontaneous