When did playing become taboo? That’s what I want to know. As children, play is an integral part of both physical, mental and social growth. As we rounded up our neighbors for a good game of Kick the Can we learned to cooperate, to follow rules, to encourage our peers, not to mention the chance to try out your new ‘tennies’ as we ran like greased lightening hoping, for at least for this round, to be ‘safe’. Play taught us creativity and self confidence, hoola-hooping while singing a made up song about chocolate bars and Cheerios, or rolling down grassy hills for the simple pleasure of getting dizzy. When did this pure expression of unfettered joy become unacceptable? And, why?
As I think back over my childhood it seems that with each added year play became less of a free for all and more about the rules. We took up team sports, ballet and twirling. The freedom of expression through motion was chiseled away, embarrassed out of us by social rules and old values like “Idle hands...” and the ever dreaded, damned ‘Early bird’ that caught the stupid worm.
We became fearful of using our bodies and minds freely, wrapping ourselves tighter and tighter in a cocoon of stillness and perceived safety, hoping that by becoming less playful we would be safe from criticism and social retribution.
That was then. This is now! It’s time to release your body and mind from it’s shackles and move. Pretend. Have fun! Being physically active releases all kinds of magical chemicals in our body that fight obesity, depression, anxiety. It stimulates important secret juices that promote deep sleep and nourish your brain. There are no pills to swallow, no doctors to see. It’s free!
So turn up the music and do the Hokey Pokey while wearing mismatched clothes! Buy a tiara and cape and pretend you are Queen of Your House for the day. Celebrate Christmas in July, or your 4 month birthday.
Play still has the power to help us grow. We can relearn what it feels like to use our bodies, to rely on our minds to make quick decisions, to understand the rules and encourage our peers. Playing can remind us of how creative we really are and build up our self confidence during times of transition. By infusing your life with play every day, by making a commitment to be lighthearted and active for at least 10 minutes, you will expand your horizons, break out of that ‘adults don’t...’ mentality imposed on you by the fuddy-duddies of the world. It will open your mind and body to new and wonderful opportunities and experiences. Play IS your prescription to happiness, no doctor’s note required.
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