My husband and I recently attended a retreat where we realized we had lost some of the fun in our marriage. Over the past four years we moved to a new city, started new jobs, had three children and embraced all the chaos and challenges this stage of life brings. Yet amidst our daily stress, we lost our sense of humor. We forgot to “laugh at the days to come.” (Proverbs 31:25, NIV)

According to HolisticOnline.com, Drs. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University researched laughter and found numerous positive effects on our immune systems. Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexibility and boosts immune function. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and produces an overall sense of well-being.

So my husband and I made a commitment to incorporate more fun into our family. And summer is the perfect time to take on such a challenge. For many of you, fun is a natural reaction to life. For others, relaxing and enjoying oneself takes more effort.

I believe God wants all of us, not just the jovial class clowns, to have fun. The wise King Solomon advocated for fun when he wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: ... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 NIV)

After all, having fun brings many positives to life. In addition to the physical benefits already mentioned, it helps us keep life in perspective, especially during difficult times. Even at our most troubled, God promises us a future day filled with laughter: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” (Luke 6:21, NIV)

Aside from life’s trials, what prevents us from having fun? The first major hurdle is time. Building careers, raising children and serving others all require time. At the end of the day, we feel exhausted and depleted. No wonder our lives lack fun. 

Second, busyness robs us of fun. We fill our lives with meetings, activities and obligations that fill up our calendars but empty our souls. If we want to enjoy life, we must make time to rest. One way we can do this is by observing the Sabbath. Take advantage of Sundays by spending time with your family, engaging in your favorite sports or hobbies, exploring nature or simply resting.

Third, overall stress prevents us from having fun. Watching the nightly news raises even the most comatose person’s blood pressure. We see our economy on shaky ground, our health care system turned upside down, natural disasters killing thousands and war wreaking havoc. 

Individually we deal with job loss, illness, divorce, depression, raising children and caring for aging parents. Even our children deal with stress as they navigate demanding schoolwork, competitive sports teams and peer pressure.

As a result of busyness and stress, we take life too seriously. We allow ambition, success and accolades to determine our next step. The psalmist writes, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ ” (Psalms 126:2, NIV)

Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us, yet we seldom take a moment to revel in His blessings. We get bogged down in our routines and responsibilities and forget to embrace the gifts God gives us. 

If you are like me, you need to experience more laughter, more spontaneity and more fun each day. So how can we incorporate fun into our already maxed-out lives?

First, we must make it a priority. We must schedule time for fun or it probably will not happen. Carve out time for family getaways, whether a weeklong vacation or a day at the park. Schedule a time to play golf with your buddies or enjoy a pedicure with the girls. Fun times like these create special bonds between people and sprinkle fun into our seemingly monotonous lives.

Also, brainstorm ideas with your family. One person enjoys bike riding, the other wants to attend a sporting event. Shopping, movies, cooking together —  each person’s idea of fun differs, so ask for everyone’s input. Then, as Nike says, Just Do It!

Finally, check your newspaper for community events and activities. Having fun doesn’t require a lot of money. Eating a picnic lunch in the backyard can be fun, yet so can attending a local arts festival or wine-tasting. Take advantage of the summer by venturing out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Remember that for everything there is a season, and summer is the season for fun.

Elizabeth Oates (B.A. Baylor University; M.A.C.E. Dallas Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother and freelance writer. She and her husband, Brandon, founded Project Restoration Ministry. For more information on Elizabeth’s Bible study curriculum, Dealing with Divorce: Finding Directon When Your Parents Split Up, or to e-mail her, go to the Web site www.projectrestorationministry.org.