Did you know that a playful spirit opens the door to laughter, learning, and a lighter heart- nurturing both emotional well-being and childlike faith?
***Intentional***
1.
Play at Work
You could remark, "I have a demanding job and don't have time
to engage in play while working." Have you considered work
can become monotonous and stressful? According to youministries.com when
employees have opportunities to play together through team building activities,
office fames, or fun competitions, it helps them see each other in a more
positive light. They further added that making
space for playfulness to coexist alongside serious work demonstrates that
employee happiness and wellbeing matter; play should not be confined to
childhood, as we all need it throughout our lives, even at work.
I recall one
incident at work. I do not remember the
details, but I do remember one of the officers telling me, “Betty I have never
seen this side of you.” “You need to
show this side more often instead of always being so serious.” I did not realize that I was so serious.
Play can
mean different things to different people, because everyone is different and
unique. You might ask yourself:
·
What
activity, when you do it, refreshes and revives you?
·
When
do you lose track of time and feel most connected to yourself? (if not now,
when did you feel this way as a child?
·
What
did you love to do as a child, what were you passionate about?
·
Which
activities do you cut from your to-do list or schedule when you are busy or
feeling overwhelmed? Play is usually the first thing to go.
·
What
have you stopped doing or never started because you do not feel like it is
productive? Caseyjacque.com talks about
this. This is something to think about.
As a child I
always loved to roller skate. Each day after school, I would
go roller skating.
3.
What is the Importance of Play?
Play is
important because it boosts your overall well-being and helps you cope with
stress. Psychcentral.com talks about
this. They further added that possibly
instead of swimming laps, you might have a swimming or diving contest with your
children. You could try a rock climbing gym rather than weightlifting.
4.
Why Don’t You Play?
Have you
taken time to think about why you don’t play?
Could it be that you feel you have a too busy lifestyle, societal
expectations, work-related stress, digital distractions, fear of judgment, lack
of opportunities, negative past experiences, a belief that play is
unproductive, or burnout and mental health issues. Livingmarvelously.com talks about this. She further added that you can change that by walking in nature, sledding, ice skating, fishing, Legos, playing with your pet,
watching funny videos, or photography and music.
I recall I
had a Doberman that weighed about 94 pounds. I weighed just 110 pounds then. Her
idea to play with me was to hit me in my knee just enough to let me know she
could knock me down if she wanted to, but not enough to make me fall. She loved
to run or retrieve a ball when I threw it. I appreciated her kindness toward my
children.
5. How Playfulness Benefits the Brain
Did you know
that engaging in playful activities triggers neurochemical responses in the
brain? Biologytinsights.com talks about
this. Beyond dopamine, playfulness
stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers,
contributing to well-being and stress reduction. They further added that Oxytocin, often
called the “bonding hormone,” is also released, fostering connection, empathy,
and trust. Do you recall experiencing
this? Possibly you were hurting and
after engaging in some type of playful activity you forgot all about your pain.
6.
Playfulness Not Just for Kids
Is playfulness an attribute exclusive to children? Did you know
playfulness is just as important for adults as it is with kids. I recall as a child wanting to play outside
with my friends all day and never wanting to come in. I would have so much fun. The days did not seem to be long enough. I remember as an adult, my ex took our
children to the arcade while I sat off to the side. He encouraged me to play along with
him. In my mind I thought, “No that is
just for the kids.” I played one game
and I was hooked. I realized I really
like the arcades. I also then recall we
decided to buy an Arcade game to play at home.
We bought Atari. Now when I told
my grandchildren about this their first question to me was. “Granny what is an
Atari?” Therefore, I explained. I forgot that it is now pretty much extinct. I had four children, so after
finishing homework and playing Atari, it was their bedtime. I did not start playing it until later in the
night. My ex would laugh at me saying, “He
reached for me in the bed and I was not there but instead up playing Atari. This is the woman who said the games
were only for the children, not herself.
This is a classic example showing that games aren't only for
children. Somewhere inside of every adult a child
still roams around. If you do not already know the games that you like to play
you may have to experiment to find out what it is that you like. Everyone is different. The main thing to remember is that you do not
want to become all work and no play.
You want to have a balanced life.
Source:
Play: The Foundation of Internal Vibrancy (and The Magic Pill)
The Importance of Play for Adults
The Surprising Benefits of Play for Adults
What Is Playfulness? The Science and Benefits for Your Brain
https://biologyinsights.com/what-is-playfulness-the-science-and-benefits-for-your-brain/
Not just for
Kids: Why Playfulness Helps Adults
Tackle Adversity
Guest
Blogging:
Guest bloggers welcome. Would you like to guest blog at
anointedtoday.blogspot.com?
Just contact
me at anointedtoday@gmail.com and let me know.
Guest
Blogging is another avenue for great exposure to your blog.
I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Visit
My Store at
More From
this Author. . . Just Click the
Link Below. . .
Amazing Tips to Stop Stressing
