Have a Nap; Do something Fun
Play? What do you mean by play? Do you mean having fun or what? “I do things that I enjoy and bring me pleasure quite often. Is that what play is?”
Dr Stuart Brown, in his book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul, describes play as having seven properties, the first is that apparently play is purposeless, we play for the sake of play.
I think of Play as something that makes me laugh out loud. That sensation of a good belly laugh is incredible. It’s tiring, and rejuvenating. I often feel tired after, as well as feeling energised. It’s great!
Something to dwell on: “The opposite of play is not work. The opposite of play is depression. Respecting our biologically programmed need for play can transform our work. It can bring back excitement and newness to our job.” Dr Brown says.
Brene Brown in her book, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, says
“There is a shocking similarity between the biological need for play and our body’s need for rest.” It seems they go hand in hand and are as important as the other. They are also two areas that our society deprives itself of.
Brene also writes:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, and depression. We’re also learning that drowsy driving can be as dangerous – and as preventable – as driving while intoxicated. Yet, somehow many of us still believe that exhaustion is a status symbol of hard work and that sleep is a luxury. The result is that we are so very tired. Dangerously tired.
The same gremlins that tell us we’re too busy to play and waste time fooling around are the ones that whisper:
– “One more hour of work! You can catch up on your sleep this weekend.”
– “Napping is for slackers.”
– “Push through. You can handle it.”
But the truth is, we can’t handle it. We are a nation of exhausted and overstressed adults raising over scheduled children. We use our spare time to desperately search for joy and meaning in our lives.
So this week, my self care tip is: Have a Nap; Do something Fun.
Or maybe you could aim to go to bed an hour or half an hour earlier and see how your week changes. Make time in your diary to do something fun. Think outside the box. What gives you that belly laugh sensation?
Have fun on the journey this week friends!
Journeez, is located in North Eastern Suburbs of Adelaide and are specialists in Self Care and learning to look after yourself in this fast-paced society. Please contact me today for further information about Self Care workshops and seminars for businesses, churches or community groups or to book a counselling or mentoring appointment. You are also welcome to join the Journeez community by subscribing to this blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Discovering Life to the Fullest.
