Lemonading is the new mindset hack for making sour moments sweeter - here's why you need it and how its done
It turns out Monty Python had it right; always looking on the bright side of life could make you more resilient to difficult situations and help you become a more joyful person, according to new research.
The term "lemonaiding" has been coined by researchers at Oregon State University who found that making lemonade from life’s metaphorical lemons really can get you through tough times. The concept is simple: those who have a more playful attitude towards life are more positive in the face of uncertain times, more resilient to challenges and generally, happier.
Sounds brilliant, but how does it work? The concept came out of a study led by Dr. Xiangyou “Sharon” Shen of Oregon State University, which investigated how people coped during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were trying to understand how a ‘playful’ mindset influences people’s perception of their situation and their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances – like those faced during the pandemic.
By surveying 503 adults during the second wave of the pandemic in early 2021, they explored how playfulness affected people’s perceptions of their situation, their emotional responses, and behavioral strategies for coping with disruptions like lockdowns and uncertainty.
The study defined playfulness as a willingness to embrace spontaneity, seek joy, and remain flexible in one’s approach to life. And the results were clear; those who could look on the brighter side of life were more positive about the future but also more adept at adjusting to their circumstances – without ignoring the real challenges in front of them.
Lemonaiding is not about avoiding the harsh realities of a situation, but rather about responding to them with a mindset that focuses on what can be done to create joy and make the best of a bad situation. Dr Shen, who coined the term, suggests that being able to see the positives and think creatively serve as a “psychological took kit” that will help you find alternatives in tough times rather than to ignore the problems and let them fester.
How Playfulness Shapes Resilience
The study highlighted several key differences between more playful individuals and their less playful counterparts, particularly in how they coped during the pandemic. While everyone reported feeling similarly vulnerable and isolated, those who scored higher on playfulness showed greater resilience. They were more likely to take proactive steps to improve their circumstances—whether through creative adaptation to their daily routines, exploring new activities, or finding joy in the small things.
For example, playful individuals were more motivated to seek fun and enjoyment even in a time when most traditional sources of leisure and social connection were shut down. They didn’t just minimise the challenges they faced but adapted to them by adjusting their activities or finding new ways to stay engaged. This ability to reframe their circumstances and focus on potential opportunities—what researchers described as a “spotlight effect” directed toward positive change was key to more resilience in the face of adversity.
Interestingly, the playful individuals experienced higher levels of joy, immersion, and satisfaction in their daily lives. Not because they had more activities than the less playful group but because they engaged with them more deeply.
When we spoke to Clinical Psychologist Dr Linda Blair, she wasn't surprised by the findings. She said, "when we're stressed - for whatever reason, that study focused on Covid but it could be anything in your daily life – we feel fear. Fear is triggered in a part of our brain called the amygdala and when it takes over, logic, planning and problem solving go quiet. We only think in terms of survival, escape or conquering, we don't think creatively."
This 'fight or flight' response Dr Linda explains, inhibits our ability to think about things differently. "Stress murders creativity – that's what playing is. When you're playing you don't know what you've decided yet, you're not goal-focused or thinking in black and white. Being playful is being able to think in the grey."
"You're far more likely to come up with solutions that will allow you to continue to thrive, not just to carry on surviving from one day to the next." This is especially important in children, Dr Linda suggests and encouraging your children to think creatively will set them up for a better, happier life.
How to Cultivate Playfulness
Dr. Shen suggests engaging in activities that spark joy, being open to new experiences, and surrounding yourself with people who encourage laughter and fun.
You don’t have to play games or be particularly witty to be considered a ‘fun’ person. Playfulness, in this sense, is more about adopting an attitude of openness, flexibility, and lightheartedness in your everyday life. Looking out of the car window and romanticising the long line of traffic ahead, or seeing the person talking loudly behind you on the bus as an opportunity to eavesdrop.
This mindset won’t make your problems disappear, but it will provide the tools to make them more manageable—and maybe even fun.
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