Adults, do you play?

I don't mean by drinking alcohol, exercising or zoning out on technology, but by being fully present, in your body, losing yourself in the moment.

The definition of play is ''no purpose other than the enjoyment of the activity.''

If the answer is no, there's no judgement here. I've been there.

In fact, most of my clients have too. When I first mention play to them, I get questions such as ''What do you mean by play?'' ''How do I play?'' and realisations such as ''I don't know how to play as an adult''.

It got me thinking, at what point do we go from fully present, connected to our imaginations, with only the pursuit of joy on our minds, to serious adults who have 'no time' and a job list the length of the country?

Unfortunately I believe it's much earlier than it ever has been, with children growing up quicker than ever.

However, let's back track here.

Firstly, you may be reading this thinking that play is not for you.

Let's bust that myth straight away!

It doesn't matter what your job title is, how many children you have, nor the size of your income, play is for EVERYONE.

Why?

• It boosts your overall wellbeing
• It lowers stress levels
• It boosts your physical health
• It helps you to process difficult times in life

In essence, when you make time to play, you are prioritising your wellbeing and quite literally raising your frequency.

Think about young children and how they lose themselves in activities which have no purpose other than their enjoyment. Children are naturally mindful, they live in awe and wonder and they are connected to their imagination. They feel their emotions in every moment and they are fully in their bodies.

There's no reason that any child should ever have to lose that.

There's no reason why every adult can't be like that.

At some point there was a movement towards seriousness, as if it gave you credibility in the world. But nobody's natural state is 'seriousness'. It is a learnt state.

Being playful doesn't make you any worse at your job. In fact, it should make you better as it sets the creative energy flowing! It also creates stronger connections with others.

There's a saying ''take your job seriously but don't take yourself seriously'' and I think every adult could learn from that.

When you are more playful at work, you accumulate less stress and you are more able to be present at home for those that truly matter.

And if you are also a parent reading this, then playing something that your children want you to play doesn't count unless you truly do want to do it too! It may ease your guilt but children are smart-they feel everything. They know when you're fully present and they know when you're not.

So the best thing you can do for your children, and your colleagues, is to put your self first and do the things that actually light you up. That way you will be lighter, brighter and you will have more to give to those you care about.

Written by Rachel Naylor , ex Primary School Leader, Holistic Wellbeing Consultant, Energy Expert & Family Wellbeing Specialist.

If you would like to know more about the Science behind Play, I highly recommend Dr Stuart Brown who founded the National Institute for Play https://www.nifplay.org/play-science/scientific-disciplines-researching-play/