Whole 30: Day 26 – Be a Kid and Play
When was the last time you had fun?
I mean really, when was the last time you REALLY had fun? The last time you couldn’t stop laughing, or went on an adventure you had so much joy going on, or even read that one book you’ve been itching to read?
The reason why I ask is because fun and adventure is so incredibly crucial to your health. As the Whole 30 Daily 22 email pointed out from an article in 2008 (in the NY times called “Why do we play?, “Scientists who study play, in animals and humans alike, are developing a consensus view that play is something more than a way for restless kids to work off steam; more than a way for chubby kids to burn off calories; more than a frivolous luxury. Play, in their view, is a central part of neurological growth and development — one important way that children build complex, skilled, responsive, socially adept and cognitively flexible brains.”
Then, the question is: Why do we stop playing when we become adults? Why have we labelled fun and play as “childish” and only for children? We work ourselves to the ground, barely take vacation, but complain about exhaustion and just wanting to relax and so something we enjoy. Well, it’s time we do exactly that! Our creativity and health depend on it. Made in the image of a Creator God, we were made to create and enjoy life to it’s full. Just like children, we too need play.
Based on an article called The Benefits of Playing for Adults, here are the benefits of play:
- Relieve stress. Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Improve brain function. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.
- Stimulate the mind and boost creativity. Young children often learn best when they are playing—and that principle applies to adults, as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and problem solve.
- Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. Play doesn’t have to be a specific activity; it can also be a state of mind. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.
- Keep you feeling young and energetic. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Playing can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease, helping you feel your best.
- Play helps develop and improve social skills. Social skills are learned in the give and take of play. During childhood play, kids learn about verbal communication, body language, boundaries, cooperation, and teamwork. As adults, you continue to refine these skills through play and playful communication.
- Play teaches cooperation with others. Play is a powerful catalyst for positive socialization. Through play, children learn how to “play nicely” with others—to work together, follow mutually agreed upon rules, and socialize in groups. As adults, you can continue to use play to break down barriers and improve your relationships with others.
- Play can heal emotional wounds. As adults, when you play together, you are engaging in exactly the same patterns of behavior that positively shapes the brains of children. These same playful behaviors that predict emotional health in children can also lead to positive changes in adults. If an emotionally-insecure individual plays with a secure partner, for example, it can help replace negative beliefs and behaviors with positive assumptions and actions.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m guilty of not playing as well at times and think that being “more productive” is the best thing to do, but in reality, having fun and being creative is just as productive and much more needed for our souls at times. So I made a list of fun things to me and plan to do them in the upcoming weeks:
- Go to South Sound by the water and journal, pray, read, listen to music and enjoy the beautiful water
- Enjoy a game night with friends
- Help in worship music/leading at our Church’s convention
- Go see a movie with the hubby
- Download Amanda Cook’s new album and enjoy some new worship music
- Have some friends over for dinner
- Do something spontaneous and fun!
Some of those are so simple, yet are fun things I’ve been doing or have been wanting to do for awhile. Doing something fun and playful doesn’t have to be a huge planned adventure, but just has to be something that you will enjoy. Now, it’s your turn to do some homework. I want you to answer the following questions and then go do something fun!
- Do you work a lot? Do you have periods of work and rest/play? If not, how can you create rhythms of work/rest/play?
- What five fun adventures and/or activity have you been wanting to do for awhile, but just haven’t made space for?
- What steps can you take to do those things?
Don’t let this be stressful, that is not the point! Choose atleast one thing from the above to do and commit to doing it this week. I promise you, it will be worth it!
Day 26 my friends! I know I said this yesterday, but what a gift it’s been to journey with you. Many of you have personally messaged me and told me how certain blogs really spoke to your heart and encouraged you in your journey. That to me has made all of these days worth it because I deeply long for us all to be made well and to see that to be healthy isn’t restricting, but is actually freeing and empowering. Although I won’t blog everyday post whole 30, I will do my best to keep blogging and engaging us all in relevant and important holistic health topics 🙂
Well, my friends, I’m off to go practice what I preach and do something fun with the hubby on date night! I hope you also go do something fun tonight and this weekend 🙂
