'Lemonading': what is it? Why, according to a recent study, fun individuals are better at handling life's obstacles

Do you manage to dance in the rain or do you focus on the storm clouds when times get hard? A recent study found that people who adopt a more light-hearted approach deal with hardship more creatively. Experts claim that improving your ability to be more fun and adept at 'lemonading' is a talent you can practise, even if your first instinct isn't to turn life's setbacks into opportunities for creativity.

Researchers polled 503 American individuals in February 2021 about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, including their emotional and behavioural reactions, perceptions of infection risk, social support, and whether they believed things would improve. Additionally, they asked participants to score their own playfulness according to their level of spontaneity, overall inhibition, and motivation to have fun. In order to determine how the pandemic experiences of the most and least playful participants varied, researchers contrasted them. They discovered that while the more fun participants were more realistic about the hazards of COVID-19 and the efficacy of preventative interventions, they were also more hopeful about the future and life getting back to normal.

According to Xiangyou “Sharon” Shen, a social scientist at Oregon State University and one of the study’s authors, playful traits probably work as a “psychological tool kit,” helping playful people survive by refocusing their thoughts and behaviours on innovative solutions, she tells Yahoo Life. Imagine that friend who turns a delayed flight into a chance to watch people at the theatre, or that coworker who can find joy even in the midst of routine office work. We mean that when we term "playful person," Shen adds. According to Shen, "playful people" are also naturally adept at what she and her colleagues refer to as "lemonading," which parodies the well-known adage, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," and describes how playful people deal with difficult circumstances.

Learn how to become more playful and proficient at "lemonading." If you don't feel like you're naturally "lemonading" or playful, don't give up. They are abilities that you can develop with practice, according to experts. Savour the process. The Stanford Centre on Stress and Health's director, Dr. David Spiegel, tells Yahoo Life that play is about being present and letting the process be its own reward. Get to know and value the people in your life. Don't be transactional; be interactive. Giving oneself permission to "enjoy the scenic route"—both physically and figuratively—is another way to do this, according to Shen.

Make having fun a top priority. After all, rather than asking yourself, "How productive was I?" ask yourself, "What moments did I have fun?" According to Shen, this reframe might help you focus on high-quality encounters. She advises, "Start small." "Make one boring chore into a little adventure every day." Play "I Spy" during a lengthy car ride, or try inventing a Supermarket Sweep-style task with your spouse during your next grocery shop visit.

Consider "thought replacement." The author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety and a professional psychologist, Chloe Carmichael, advises attempting thought replacement, which is the process of substituting negative thoughts for more positive or helpful ones. She claims that a lot of people display what psychologists refer to as "defensive pessimism," which is the conscious focus on possible ne

gative outcomes as a safeguard against unexpected disappointment. "If you have a pessimistic outlook, try to find at least one or two things or people around you that are lovely, fascinating, or make you feel thankful, and challenge your negative internal monologue."

Encourage others to play more as well. It can feel a little foolish to tell people you want to be more playful, but oddly, it might make you want to play more, according to Carmichael. "People may feel more at ease inviting you to see their playful side once they are aware of this." Additionally, gaining social support for playfulness has two benefits: With a friend, playfulness is frequently increased, and humour strengthens bonds.