Losing the Ability to PLAY

PLAY is a fundamental component to being human. No wait - BEING ALIVE!!! Look at the animal kingdom on the whole and you see PLAY as an important part of life and learning.

For us humans, PLAY brings so much to our lives even as we age, however we unfortunately get pulled into the mindset that PLAY is for kids, and as we get older and have more responsibilities, PLAY becomes a thing of the past.

I love this quote from Dan Harris:

"You don't wanna make play be one more thing on your to do list. You also don't want your to do list to be your whole life. That's the balance"

PLAY may change as we get older as to the "WHAT", but the FEELINGS are very much the same. PLAY can offer so much for adults...

• A hobby / hobbies

• More of an influence and motivation to MAKE free time in our days

• Something we look forward to

• Something that makes us feel GOOD, HAPPY and POSITIVE ENERGY

• Play helps provide opportunity to take life less seriously at times

• Play opens the door to laughter

• Play allows us to LEARN more about ourselves (inside and out)

When I ask most people today what they do for FUN, they usually don't have an answer. OR their answer is "well I used to..." 😟

One of the most powerful conversations I'll never forget was with a client several years ago who was heading into his retirement. He said he needed to find something to do after he retires. I asked him what he enjoyed doing in the past. His response was things like; computer games, building computers and drawing. When I asked why he stopped doing these things he loved so much, his answer was; "Because I had to work". (Welcome to the modern human).... 😰

Your PLAY certainly will change in regards to the WHAT and how long/often. Yet keeping it PLAY (see what I did there!? 😁) will help you lead a healthier, happier lifestyle more than you can imagine!! You can find tons of information about people's greatest end of life regrets. None of them say "I wish I worked more" or "I'm glad I set aside the things I love doing and people I loved the most in favour of work". NONE OF THEM.

Find "YOUR PLAY". And do it OFTEN.

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Back in July 2023, I did a video discussing exactly the topic here. It was brought on by a quote from the great, Ted Lasso in season 2 of the show.

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This is a "Zen Quickie" - Our shorter blog posts here on the Zen Blog that aim to get you thinking about your own health practices (just like ALL the posts really 😉)

Want help creating the habit of PLAY in your own lifestyle and routines? This is a habit that a Health & Wellness Coach can help you with. Connect with 'Coach D' and let's have a conversation about how to bring PLAY into your health and lifestyle routines.