Botox for Your Brain: why you need to inject play into your day.

The National Institute for Play (NIFP) states that "play is the gateway to vitality". Of course, they do. But it's not just the NIFP saying so. Extensive research done over the last two decades from brain health organizations to major educational institutions demonstrates how FUNdemental "play" is to counteract stress, improve moods, enhance brain performance, and generate a better quality of interpersonal relationships.

"Play is uniquely rewarding, it generates optimism, seeks out novelty, makes perseverance fun, leads to mastery, gives the immune system a bounce and fosters empathy.” -NIFP

Spring has sprung and the added daylight, warmer air, and sprouting life around us tend to foster a sense of renewed energy. Our brain and body will rejoice...if we make time for ourselves to engage in celebratory Spring "play". Yes, my goal today is to inspire you to play. Play is considered a biological drive in all mammals, including humans (Brown & Vaughan, 2010; Libby, 2014).

As life may have it without our conscious choice to intervene otherwise, we grown-ups are less likely to make sure that we inject our day with a healthy dose of play. We don't have time or energy...and often don't know how to play anymore. If we do play, it's considered a luxury of sorts.

Why do we disregard one of our biological needs?

The brain is wired for pleasure. Human beings are drawn to experiences (including exposure to nature) that provide joy. When the brain experiences joy, positive thoughts, new experiences, and positive emotions, there is an increase in the number of neural pathways created and a release of neurotransmitters that cause this cycle to be sought after by the individual (Hanson, 2013). For this reason, outdoor play has been used as a prescription for stress, anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, distraction, and lack of creativity. To top it off, the health benefits of outdoor play include increasing #neuroplasticity of the brain and boosting your #immunesystem . Cartoonist Bill Watterson ended a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip with a science-based truth,

"If your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously examine your life."- Calvin and Hobbes

Of course, one of the greatest aspects of pet ownership is they get us to play with them. Children give us the opportunity to engage in play, too. That said, and though there is tremendous value and benefits for our adult brains and bodies to do both, there is something additional that happens when we are playing in some way with our own interests and passions. When we do the latter, we can get into #flowstate . Flow state, or our "zone", where we lose track of time and space even. For that time, we get to exist in an Alpha brain wave place with free-flowing, effortless engagement. So restorative!

Flow state-enducing play suggestions include:

• Body Play: yoga, pilates, tai chi, hiking, dancing, pantomiming/charades
• Imaginative Play: storytelling, painting, drawing, acting, making music
• Manipulation Play: constructing, knitting, performing magic
• Ritual Play: rule-based games
• Athletic Play: most sports, horseback riding, running, cycling, rollerskating, martial arts, dancing, skiing, etc

Let's not make time a factor for ignoring what your brain and body need to keep or restore vitality. Playing for 2-5 minutes every half a day will serve your brain and body well. What are some quick ways to incorporate play?

Here are some MICRO-PLAY MOMENTS:

• Dance to your favorite song
• Tell a few jokes
• Do a magic trick or two
• Do impersonations
• Be silly with your loved ones (or peers)
• Walk barefoot on the grass
• Lay on the grass and watch the clouds
• Use your imagination to get into a play state anywhere you are! Imagine yourself playing in some way on the beach, in the park, on a dance floor, etc.

Make a playdate with yourself, your loved one(s), and even your colleagues! You're confidence, creativity, and energy will get a great boost. In addition to better brain health and body benefits, you will digest your food better and get rid of the extra body fat more easily (hey, we know Summer is what comes next, right? Have fun and lose weight?! Who wouldn't want to do that?!).

Want more? Email me: [email protected]

www.avadiamondmentalfitness.com