ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
your life
Of course, play means different things to different people.
“Play is whatever that thing is that makes your heart sing,” says Barbara Brannen, CEO of Play- more, a Denver-based human resources consulting fi rm and the author of The Gift of Play: Why Adult
Women Stop Playing and How to Start Again.
“It doesn’t have to be this big thing that requires skis or golf clubs. It can be going to get coff ee with a friend or doing charity work or even taking a nap.” Brandy Wheeler, a mother of two in Traverse City, Mich., found pleasure when she revisited an
activity she had loved as a child. Wheeler joined a synchronized fi gure skating team. She practices several days a week and occasionally travels with her teammates to competitions. “It’s my time,” said Wheeler. “I don’t have to be a
mom. I’m not in charge of anything. It allows me to shed my stress and even though it is great exercise, it doesn’t really feel like it. “ Wheeler said she notices a change in her mood and attitude during the team’s off -season. “I really miss it.”
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3 Steps to Adding Play to Your Busy Life
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The fi rst step, according to Dr. Lombardo, is to “give yourself
permission to have fun. View
play as an important way to improve your life—your health, mood, relationships and even work—not a luxury that you can do if you get everything else done.“
Next, fi gure out what to do.
Experts suggest you start by asking yourself how you would spend your time if you had a month off to do anything you wanted. Think back to your childhood and remember how you used to play. Look for an overriding theme that might help you discover what you would enjoy as an adult. “I realized that as a child, I was
happiest when I was in or around water, “ said Brannen. “So I bought myself a kayak and started paddling before work—not to be more fi t or lose weight—just to have fun.”
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Third, just do it. Even brief bouts of play or little acts of playfulness have value. “Ideally, you would spend a little time every day— or at least every other day— playing,” said Dr. Muller. “And it can just be a few minutes here and there. Play provides balance to work and life stress.”
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