ESSENTIAL FOCUS COACHING
  • Home
  • Blog

The Importance of Play

8/7/2019

 
Playtime is something that is associated more with children, but adults need to play too. Yes, really! In fact, having fun can boost the immune system, improve relationships and your ability to deal with stress, according to the National Institute of Play. How can you get involved and what exactly is play?
Simply put, play is spontaneously doing something you enjoy for no reason other than you enjoy it. There is no obligation to do it, and no end goal. When was the last time you played?

It comes naturally to children, but playing is a skill that we often lose as we grow up. Looking after ourselves, by eating and sleeping well, taking regular exercise and spending time with family and friends are all important; but making time to play is another essential ingredient for overall wellbeing.

We can become so led by our schedules that even things that might be fun, such as doing exercise, have the fun taken away from them. You may go for a run because you want to beat your time, or win a race, but it isn’t play if achievement is the overriding reason for doing it. However, change your mindset: running purely because it makes you happy and because you can, and then you’re playing. Attitude is key.

Integrating playtime into your day means allowing opportunities to go off script. We’ve all seen young children or pets being distracted from what they were doing and becoming completely immersed in a new activity. Allow yourself to be side-tracked and see what fun you can experience.

What did you like doing as a child? Chances are you will probably still enjoy it now. How about playing hide and seek, going on a swing in the park, bouncing on a trampoline (let’s face it, many of our children have them, but when did you last have a go?), losing yourself dancing to music, painting a picture? Whatever you choose to do, relax, enjoy and be in the moment.

Remember playing can help improve your mental and physical health and make you more resilient, which can only be a good thing. When will you start having more fun?

Comments are closed.

       

    I'm a Personal Coach who loves finding out about what makes people tick and helping them to make the changes necessary to get to where they want to go so they can thrive.

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017

    Categories

    All
    Calm
    Change
    Feeling Stuck
    Goals
    Gratitude
    Healthy Eating
    Lockdown
    Mindfulness
    Nutrition
    Positivity
    Priorities
    Procrastination
    Resilience
    Sleep
    Wellness
    Work Life Balance
    Work-Life Balance

    RSS Feed

  
  • Home
  • Blog