Shenanigans
A devious ruse usually used for an underhanded purpose, tricky or questionable conduct or practices, mischievous, high-spirited activity.
Unclear of the origin, the term Shenanigans has been in use since the 1800’s and often has a mixed connotation of positive and negative associations. In the most positive light, Shenanigans are good for our overall well-being. In other words, joking around makes us happier and healthier.
Have you had so much fun with good friends or family you were laughing to the point of having tears in your eyes? Maybe you have enjoyed playful ribbing with good friends, lighthearted antics, or good-natured roasting one another and friendly continuous banter ensued? As adults we experience less of these opportunities for entertaining and humorous fun and mischief, which was second nature to us as children. We save it for special occasions like a “Roast,” a wedding speech, a reunion. Sometimes this can happen at work in a group setting where co-workers and colleagues prank or surprise one another for a party or event; this makes sense to serve the purpose of bringing fun to a sterile or stressful environment and connecting to peers. In the most baseline form, it’s the boost you feel when you are in on the joke or lock eyes with the one person in the room that saw the occurrence you found humorous or bizarre. If we can incorporate more positive Shenanigans into our lives, we will feel better and live longer.
Physically we lower cortisol, the infamous stress hormone that ages us and causes inflammation in the body, our muscles relax even when our stomach hurts from laughing, our immune system is stronger thanks to the antibodies that increase to ward off illness. We may receive a dose of endorphins that can relieve pain or tension, we even clear our lungs and breathe deeper! Mentally our mood immediately improves (test this next time you see something funny on social media), we are in the moment and not focused on the past or future, reducing anxiety or depression. It feels like a stretch, but this type of joy created specifically through bonding with one another in the form of shenanigans helps our creativity, executive functions and problem solving. We are better prepared to face setbacks and challenging situations. As we age our lives become more insular and we lose chances to connect with more acquaintances and various environments to enhance our social fabric. We must seek our shenanigans where we can and enjoy more harmless pranks and antics, it’s good for us! If we incorporate more playful nonsense into our lives, not taking ourselves too seriously, we smile more. We are never too formal or somber to laugh with others and at ourselves.