THE COMMUNITY

ANNE-MARIE ELIAS

From a psychological perspective, it is important to have fun. When people are restricted, such as during lockdowns in the pandemic, we are limited in our ability to experience enjoyment.

The intensity of a pleasurable experience rests on two psychological pillars: hedonistic engagement and liberation.

Our ability to have fun isn’t only affected by external factors, but by internal ones, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

When people experience mental health issues, they often find fun evasive. Sometimes this is due to their own inability to feel happiness and pleasure. At other times, they may feel guilt when supposedly engaged in a fun activity while unwell.

Some come from an austere upbringing, where it is frowned upon to be frivolous. This core belief becomes limiting when they move away from that strict family/community.

A state of hedonistic engagement features active involvement in and