Your Brain Health.... Go Out and Play
How we enjoy play will mean different things to different people. One person may enjoy competitive sports while another delights in the creativity of arts and crafts. What Dr. Brown found through his research is this guideline: the most beneficial and freeing aspect of play, whatever you choose to do, is that you do it for its own sake. Simply put, if its purpose is more important than the act of doing it, it’s probably not play.
One aspect that limits our freedom to play in modern day society is that on most days we are cooped up indoors. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend close to 90 percent of their time indoors. To counter this trend, a report in the Journal of Environmental Psychology reflects five studies found that being outside was associated with greater vitality.
For many of us, nature was our first and favorite playground. When playing outside every one of our senses were activated as we explored the great outdoors. The cool grass beneath our feet, the wind in our face, the fragrance of the flowers and the songs of the birds surrounded us in a cocoon of sweetness. Whether we were riding our bikes, playing tag or climbing trees, we felt unburdened and free, engaged and energized.
Think back for a moment to the most joyful, playful image that you can recall. What type of play brought you purposeless joy, easiness, pleasure and fun? Taking time to play is medicine for body and soul. It doesn’t need to be justified; it needs to be identified, practiced and above all else, enjoyed.
Live Life #voxxlife Strong
