When I was a kid, you know...back in the olden times, we were told to go outside and play and all the parents and grandparents meant it- all day-go out!! We all left our houses and went out for adventure.
Our rule was come home for meals and when it got dark, then it was dinner, bath, a little TV, and bed! Rinse and Repeat.
Exceptions occurred: Baseball games, catching lightening bugs, eating watermelon after dinner outside with no shirt on- messes you know! Or nighttime tag and badminton -but the bats always tried to jump into the game. In other words, we were outside all the time.
Sometimes we were cowboys out west, or a beautiful princess in a castle with a scary dragon of course! Sometimes we strolled through a creek, walked in the woods, played "house", or just read a book in a tree. It was glorious!! Then we grew up! But being out side and re-learning how to play has great wellness benefits, so lets get outside and play!
Benefits of Play as an Adult
Learning to "play" again can relieve stress
Improve your brain function
Can help your remember how to cooperate with others
Helps your creativity
Stimulates your imagination
Can have a positive effect on your mental health
Help keep your bones and muscles strong
Help maintain a healthy weight
What is Play? According to Dr. Stuart Brown of the National Institute for Play - I'm not gonna lie, I lOOOOVE that there is an institute for play!!! According to Dr. Brown "Play is something done for its own sake...it's voluntary, pleasurable, offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time, and the act itself is more important than the outcome".
I like to go hiking, not because it's good exercise, but because I get lost in nature and my imagination. It is exhilarating. That's play. Play can have a similar impact as meditation does.
Benefits of being outside:
Can boost your vitamin D
May lower your blood pressure
May reduce your stress
Can improve your sleep
May reduce inflammation
Can help your focus
May help us heal more quickly
May help you enjoy better mobility as you age
People who spend time outdoors tend to feel more satisfied in life
Burns more calories
May help symptoms of anxiety and depression
People who spend time outside report feeling happier
May boost your immunity
Well, you can't beat that! It's good for you to play and it's good for you to be outside, you may as well combine them!
Aim for 120 minutes outside a week and don't let the cold stop you, there are extra benefits to taking a walk in the cold! We already know that walking is beneficial to our health, try taking a walk in a forrest, along a beach, through a park, etc. and remember to play! Find an activity you enjoy, put down the electronic devices and just go have fun!
Suggestions: hiking, swimming, golf, disc golf, surfing, frisbee, read a book outside, paint outside, yoga outside, and jogging, horseback riding.
Tell me how it went! Post to social media and tag me on Instagram @lwburbach.
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2. Practice clean, healthy eating 3. Exercise regularly
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