The Mel Robbins Podcast

Why Having FUN is the Secret to a Healthier Life | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Ready to make 2024 your best year ever? 🌟 https://bit.ly/melrobbins_bestyear 👈 Download my FREE, 29-page workbook designed using the latest research to help you get clear about what you want and empower you to take the next step forward in your life 🔥 — I want you to get serious about inserting fun back into the #holidays this year. It might seem odd to have an entire conversation about #fun. But here’s why we have to: most of us aren’t having any. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that researchers have a term for it: “a fun drought.” You’re not alone – 97% of people want to have more fun. And wouldn’t it be fabulous if you had an absolute blast with your #family this holiday season? It is possible. And you’re just the person to make it happen. On the topic of family, I find it interesting that most of the advice out there is focused on toxic family dynamics and boundaries. If your family is that toxic, the only thing you need to do is make other plans. You’re not required to spend time with them. But… if you are planning to spend time with family during the holidays, make this the year you bring the fun. Fun breaks up old dynamics, fun draws people out of their shells, and fun gives you something to talk about other than the weather and how the school year is going. And laughter is not only great medicine, but it also makes you happier and strengthens your relationships with those you’re having fun with! Today you and I are getting serious about fun. In this episode, you’re going to learn the 3 things that get in the way of you having fun – the biggest one being that you don’t plan for it. So, we are going to discuss how to plan for and have more fun, and I’ll give you all kinds of ideas to consider. This is the perfect episode to listen to with your family if you’re traveling. It’s appropriate for all ages. So shake off the dread and pull out the party hats. I’m on a mission to inspire you to have more fun. Xo Mel In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why fun is so important for your health and relationships - Why we are not having fun - TONS of ideas to spark the fun in your family - Why the “first follower theory” is a big deal when it comes to fun - Why Sawyer now regrets the “Dress in Anything But Clothes” game 😂 In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Introduction to the episode 05:31 The importance of fun (and the research behind it) 10:07 3 Reasons why you aren’t having fun over the holidays 13:45 How to prioritize more fun in your life 27:52 Ideas on how to plan more FUN over the holidays with Mel and Sawyer Robbins (Sawyer a.k.a. Chief Fun Officer of the Robbins family) 36:25 Mel and Sawyer brainstorm Thanksgiving activities for their own celebration this year 46:06 How Sawyer gets the Robbins family to get out of their fun drought 51:18 How to draw people out of old family dynamics and be present — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostSawyer Robbinsguest

Nov 23, 202257mWatch on YouTube ↗

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Mel Robbins Reveals Why Planning More Fun Transforms Holiday Family Time

Mel Robbins argues that most adults are in a "fun drought," especially around the holidays, and that intentional fun is the secret to better health, happiness, and family relationships.
She explains that guilt, fear of judgment, and failing to plan are the three main reasons we don’t prioritize fun, even though our best family memories almost always come from playful experiences.
Using research from the Gottmans and personal stories, she shows how fun reduces stress, breaks old family roles, and strengthens connection, then brings on her daughter Sawyer, the family’s "Chief Fun Officer," to brainstorm concrete ideas.
Together they outline specific, practical ways to plan fun—games, costumes, themed nights, better questions at dinner, and phone-free time—so holidays become memorable, playful, and more deeply connected.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Treat fun as essential, not optional, for health and relationships.

Robbins cites research showing that shared fun makes people happier, less stressed, and more connected; couples and families who prioritize having fun together are measurably closer and more satisfied.

Remove yourself from toxic environments without guilt.

She gives explicit permission to decline holiday invitations with abusive, narcissistic, or highly triggering relatives, emphasizing that protecting your mental health is more important than tradition.

Overcome three main fun killers: guilt, judgment, and lack of planning.

People feel guilty having fun when others are struggling, fear being judged for silly ideas, and assume fun should be spontaneous; Robbins argues you must consciously plan and accept teasing to get past these blocks.

Intentionally plan fun the way adults once planned it for you as a kid.

She notes that childhood fun was almost always adult-orchestrated—parties, games, outings—so as adults we must now design those experiences ourselves instead of passively hoping fun just appears.

Appoint a "Chief Fun Officer" and secure a first follower.

Drawing on the "first follower theory," Robbins and her daughter explain that one enthusiastic leader (and one visible supporter) can turn a lone "weirdo" in a costume or game into a domino effect that gets everyone participating.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

We are living in a fun drought. My mouth is not just dry, apparently my whole life is dry.

— Mel Robbins

This is gonna be the holiday season where you and I open our hearts, we uncross our arms, we drop the expectations, and we pull up in the fricking fun bus.

— Mel Robbins

Couples who are happy, you know why they’re happy? They know how to have fun together.

— Mel Robbins

Your life becomes fun when you plan things that are fun to you.

— Mel Robbins

If you’re the one planning and you’re not the one going 100% all out, then it would never work… as the creator, you need to believe in it just as much as anyone else.

— Sawyer Robbins

The concept of a societal "fun drought" and its impact on adultsResearch on fun, happiness, and relationship quality (Gottman insights)Common barriers to having fun: guilt, fear of judgment, lack of planningThe importance of intentionally planning fun activities for holidaysRole of a "Chief Fun Officer" and the power of the first followerSpecific holiday ideas: games, themes, costumes, decorations, questionsCreating healthier family dynamics by disrupting old roles and reducing phone use

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