Here’s why entertainment is important to mental health and wellbeing
Larry Soffer, the leading mentalist in Africa explains that during the recent pandemic many people were forced to take things into their own hands, finding new ways to entertain themselves. Here are Larry’s five reasons why entertainment is so important to mental health and well-being.
- We just can’t help ourselves
We can trace entertainment back to the first and second centuries when hand puppets, storytelling, music and dance were very much a part of the social fabric of society. Entertainment has always been a part of who we are as humans, Larry says it is because we desire fun and laughter in our lives.
2. We are wired to seek out things that bring us joy
And, being entertained delivers this in truckloads! You only need to look at a young infant to see what I mean. They get so much joy from simply watching a cartoon on TV, playing peek-a-boo with an adult or even from seeing their own reflection in the mirror. It’s all entertainment for them and it can bring them hours of fun and laughter.
3. We always need a break from reality
We get so consumed by everyday stressors that we long for those small moments or activities that relieve us from them. For some, it helps to spend time in the gym while others might want to be outside at one with nature. Entertainment is different though as it has the possibility to transport us out of our everyday mundane lives and into a world where we can experience magic and mystery, and where we can believe in the impossible.
4. Entertainment works around you
From comedians, singers and ventriloquists to dancers, musicians, and magicians, pretty much all artists had some form of online offering during the lockdown. Some were conducted in their living rooms, others on balconies or gardens, but all happened because as entertainers, we understand the need to spread joy and positivity during very difficult times.
This is the determined spirit of an artist – they simply cannot be stopped and will always find a way to express their craft. I know I absolutely loved entertaining during the lockdown, seeing packed-out living rooms full of family and friends all desperate for some respite from the worry and doom.
5. As human we naturally gravitate to positivity and the desire to be uplifted
How many of us live for the weekend, so that we can plan something fun, different, and exciting over our two free days? We do it because we get so much positive energy from a good experience or from being with good people. If you’re feeling happy and positive, you’re likely to radiate and transfer these happy feelings to someone else – like a domino effect, which is a great way of elevating everyone’s mental health and well-being.
Larry inspires his audiences to believe in the impossible so that they can achieve their dreams. Follow @LarrySoffer.
