Psychology Skill of the Week - Fun Activities

Welcome to another instalment of Psychology Skill of the Week with school psychologist, Dr Carla Humphrys.
This week Dr Carla is discussing 'fun activities'.
​One important skill that is often overlooked is including more fun activities in our lives. Fun things include those that are realistic, you can do often, are affordable, legal and won't upset others.
​They don't have to last very long and can be things you once enjoyed. Regular participation in such activities gives more opportunity for your brain to release 'feel good' chemicals, such as dopamine, in a healthy way.
​Some activities include going to the beach, being with friends, walking/hiking, reading and cooking.
​The aim is to complete the activities regularly and notice the difference in your mood before and after completing them.
​It may take a while before your mood is impacted but keep persisting. Making sure that they are not screen based means that you don't end up in a 'dopamine deficit' state once you stop doing them. There will be further explanation about what this means in the coming weeks - stay tuned.
​* While these videos are related to psychological themes, the content does not constitute therapy and it is not a substitute for professional mental health help or medical care. Please seek assistance from a qualified mental health or medical professional to obtain advice or psychological treatment that is tailored to your specific needs. *