When is the last time you took time to genuinely just play? Jumping on the trampoline, laughing during a game of truth or dare, running around in the park or your backyard, jumping in the pool with all your clothes on, bringing out your favorite board game—the list of ideas goes on. What matters most is finding a playful outlet that brings a smile to your face.
We tend to refer to the word “play” with children. They have their playtime during school and at home, but adults need recreational time too. In fact, research backs up how powerful these activities can be for overall wellness. In one study, they found that the more a person played, the more satisfied they felt in their lives.
And let’s talk about how it can also help slow down the aging process. Yes, age is just a number, and having a positive attitude about aging and staying young at heart (i.e., embracing adult playtime) may help slow the physical and mental aging process. One study found that people with a positive attitude around aging lived 7.5 years longer.
Improving problem-solving skills, stimulating imagination, enjoying pure laugher, gaining trust with others, and building a connection with family and friends are also all major benefits of playing. You can see a theme here—the power of play is essential for self-care and soul-care. There’s no reason to live a life of all work and no play. Without play, you’re missing out on ways to lengthen and deepen your time on this beautiful earth.
It’s safe to say nearly everyone has experienced an overwhelming amount of stress over the past year. Guess what? Playing can help with that too. It’s pretty simple. Fun activities bring joy and happiness and lend an outlet to destress and reset your mental wellness. According to this study, those who engage in physical hobbies for at least 20 minutes once a week have more energy and are less likely to experience fatigue.
We can often take simple things that are truly good for us for granted, like the power of playing, which is why we’re so excited to launch a new series on our YouTube channel called “Poosh Your Play” (coming soon) where Kourt and members of her family and close friends explore different games and ways to embrace adult playtime.
In the meantime, we want to know the activities you do to poosh your play and live your best life. Let us know in our private Facebook group or in the comments on Instagram.
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