Can You Come Out and Play?

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing.”
– George Bernard Shaw

What’s a better stress reducer than play? Think about how your mood changes after tossing a ball to your dog or molding play dough with your child.

It’s not just your pet or child who benefits from play. Adults can gain many physical and emotional benefits, too. When we play, we temporarily release some stress in our adult lives by engaging in an activity for the sheer joy of it. Play also allows us to improve our cognitive functions, practice problem-solving skills, tap into our creativity, and engage our imagination.

One of the best things about play is that it can be just about anything. It doesn’t have to be a structured game or a time-intensive activity. A few minutes of throwing a ball for your dog, playing make-believe with your child, or playing cards with a friend or partner can be great ways to reduce stress and make an emotional connection.

The scientific reason for this is that our brains release feel-good chemicals called endorphins when we play. These chemicals can give us feelings of joy and well-being and can even reduce pain. That’s why, when your stress is high, engaging in play can be relaxing and comforting. There’s also a social element to play that can further reduce our stress and strengthen our relationships with others.

Recognizing the value of play and setting aside time for it in our daily routine can go a long way in our effort to prioritize self-care. And, we might go so far to say, as George Bernard Shaw says above, that play can even make you feel younger.

So it’s no surprise that many of our daily tips during our 24-Day Self-Care Challenge have been related to doing things you enjoy, including play. We’re now just two days away from the culmination of the challenge on July 24. Give yourself a round of applause, or treat yourself to something special, if you’ve been following along with us. We hope the tips and tricks we’ve provided each day during the challenge will help you relieve stressors and promote self-care in your everyday life.

July 24 is also the Courage to Caregivers second annual Day of Giving. Every donation of $50 made through the end of July will be eligible for a drawing for prizes courtesy of Kickstart Accounting.

Every donation makes a difference, and we appreciate your support of caregivers in need. We just can’t do this important work without YOU!