Play Is Timeless & Ageless!
Why do we tend to lose our playfulness as we get older? Should it not be something that we should strive to maintain throughout our time on earth? Any person of any age can participate in play. Yet as we grow older, our priorities shift away from play to responsibility, especially in the world of work. Interesting when you think about it.
Play Is So Vital To Our Positive Mental Health!
Play brings out our inner child and allows us to lean into vulnerability in a safe space. This opens space to be our true selves. Play creates a space of no judgement and complete acceptance. In fact, play is the universal language of acceptance, non-judgement and just plain fun. What could be better than that!!!!
Play Is Self Care!
Self care can easily be enhanced through more play in our lives. When we invite play into all areas of our lives and make time for play, our relationships with others are much richer, productivity at work improves, and positivity in our everyday approach to life suddenly makes its presence known.
Play Is A Game Changer!
When we give permission for play in the workplace, it breaks down the hierarchy. Everyone participates and engages one another on the same playing field as equals. Through play we move from being uncomfortable with vulnerability into the comfort of vulnerability. Strangers become playmates and laughter echoes long after the session ends. So does a perma-grin! When play allows people to lean into vulnerability, remember this: “There is no growth in the comfort zone and there is no comfort in the growth zone.”
Play Is Being Human!
Play teaches us to focus on what is strong about our loved ones instead of what is wrong or challenging. Ultimately, this shifts our perspective. In the area of Peer Support, play builds trust amongst participants and leads participants to learn more about themselves. It’s a great icebreaker. Think about it. Play breaks down those barriers to hard conversations and shines light on courage and inner strength. It allows us to set realistic and purposeful boundaries. This results in more positive relationships with our loved ones and with ourselves.
Play Is Story Telling!
When we think back to a great memory with a long-time friend, we are most likely to think of a time when we laughed and had fun. A time when we played. When you ask a student of any age about their best memory of the day/week/month, fun and laughter is always part of the storyline. When you ask a group of colleagues to think about a great day at work, it’s often a story about a team building day that made them laugh and smile with colleagues. When you ask seniors in a retirement residence to talk about a great day, what you often hear is a story about an outing in the community or a special event where everyone participated. “Most recently, my own parents participated in the “Senior Olympics” at their retirement residence and talked about how my dad won the Smartie Game! They all laughed afterwards over banana splits. Play invokes memories of childhood. Memories of play, your way, I say!!”
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