To play is to engage in enjoyable activities. Many of us have lost touch with our playful spirit and the joy that comes with playing. There is a lot of discussion about play. But, how many of us actually get out and play?
Play…you say?
Yes – Play!
Playing is not just for the young. Play is beneficial to all ages. Remember how it feels to wonder freely, to be extravagant with your time, to discover your sense of self, to put aside the logic of order, and give way to joyfulness? Most people have childhood memories of playing with toys, dressing up, and playing silly games. Yet most adults would never consider these “time wasters.”
Yet, when you play, there is no objective, you are not planning or prodding, you are in the “here and now – the present.” Play is a great way to reduce stress. Stress comes from worries about the past and fears of the future; in the present there is very little stress. This is why children laugh an average of 400 times a day and adults laugh on average, 15 times a day.
Re-experience the joy of play. Do something playful in the next few minutes, and then let us know about it.
Great blog! Most of us, as adults, do forget to take time to play and laugh with friends to release the stresses of the day. There’s nothing better than relaxing on the beach, walking through a park or simply playing a game with your children or friends.
“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”….Plato
By: Heather on March 12, 2010
at 12:13 pm
Very nice blog. It is so easy for many people to underestimate the value of play, which leads to fun, which helps achieve piece of mind, which is one of the most essential components of a well balanced healthy lifestyle.
By: Wally on March 15, 2010
at 7:20 am
My favorite recent purchase is the WII game. Playing with friends or just by myself brings hours of fun and laughter. I highly recommend it to children of all ages!
By: Roz on March 15, 2010
at 7:56 am
I played alot when I was a kid and then again when I had two of my own, but they grew up so quickly and now my time is filled with errands, work, homework, and housework…play has somehow been squeezed out of my day, week and life…unless I MAKE the time for it. I am thankful for this little reminder that it IS important, even as an adult to get out there and simply PLAY. I plan to do that tonight right after work – today is the first day I can enjoy daylight savings time and you better believe I will make the most of it. I will play with my two dogs and two kids – that is, if they haven’t outgrown me, but that’s another topic altogether!
By: Debbie on March 15, 2010
at 3:41 pm
Wow remembering to play.What a youthful concept one in which we as adults forget to do. Well since I am not a video gamer, I enjoy playing sports such as softball and basketball. This is how I exuberate my play time. Thanks for the reminder…
By: Firelady on March 17, 2010
at 7:28 am
As you get older working in the field of recreation and dealing with these budget numbers we sometimes forget the play was one of the many reasons we join this profession. So thanks for reminding of it.
By: Joe on March 18, 2010
at 12:34 pm