So today was a fun day. I was planning to make my first vlog and start putting videos in my posts but life happened and my video making is postponed until tomorrow. The sun was shining and after I washed that mountain of dishes that was mocking me from the kitchen, I decided to go out for a walk and have some coffee afterwards. One thing led to another and I ended up playing billiards for hours. That made me realise that "Never forget to PLAY" post was long overdue...
When was the last time you played?
I have always enjoyed games. Sports games, social games, puzzles, even drinking games are a great way to make me smile and have some fun. Modern society often demands us to be serious and not indulge in those guilty pleasures that are unproductive. I am all aboard for productivity but how are we supposed to be productive if we never get our deserved recess? It has been proven that adults who regularly enjoy various games are more productive and more intuitive. Let us start with defining what playing is. Here is one of my favourite definitions:
"Play is something done for its own sake. It's voluntary, it's pleasurable, it offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time. And the act itself is more important than the outcome."
Dr. Stuart Brown from National Institute for Play
My strong point is that humans need to smile and enjoy life. Not everything we do has to have a world-changing consequence. Sometimes having pleasure is enough. When was the last time you had such a good laugh that you cried?
BENEFITS of play for ADULTS
If you are not playing, you should start, and you should start yesterday :) Here are some of the benefits that will maybe push you towards that ball or a deck of cards.
ENERGIZED, and STRESS FREE
I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said:
"We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing"
Playing will always give us a boost of energy, and it doesn't even have to be a competitive game. A game can be a catalyst for a better day because it will raise our endorphins and make us less stressed when dealing with usual stress factors.
BRAIN STIMULATION and a CREATIVITY BOOST
Activities that challenge our brain, like puzzles, chess, sudoku and mystery investigations, improve brain function and can even prevent memory loss. Playing stimulates our imagination and increases our problem-solving skills and the best way to prevent burnout at work is... You guessed it, to take some time and play.
IMPROVEMENT of SOCIAL SKILLS
Playing teaches us cooperations with others and engages us in the same patterns of behaviour that shaped the brains of children by making us follow mutually agreed upon rules. We socialize with others and experience positive changes in our emotional health.
My deer deer deer friend made my day wonderful today, and I helped her get away from studying and enjoy a fun break. That's she in the pictures, @marina-rogic, and she will be a great addition to our steemit family when she finishes all her exams and returns to writing amazing and quality posts.
KEEP YOUR SMILE ON
I hope you play every day, alone or with others, outside or indoors, social, sports or puzzle games. Keep that smile on and have some fun, enjoy life and live it. Living life and watching it from a side are opposite things.
when you are playing, you become free."
Heidi Kaduson
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Thank you @lenadr, I am glad you like my post and that you are considering it. I happily accept 💚
I love when Life happens.. Those are the moments where magic happens! And I can see you had great fun!!
You're an awesome storyteller and motivator for me! Keep going baaaby!! XD :P
Thank you science dude, I am glad to hear I motivate you, but since you are sooo good already, do you really need extra motivation? :D
Oooh believe me I do, we all need lovely people in our lives... ;)
And now I am lovely? Oh, you sweet talker, you... :)
Now you're silly hahaaha just being honest, as always ;)
So agree that playing and smiling are on my top ten list of things that makes me happy. And coffee, and hugs, and cats.... One of my favourite ways of playing is photograhping. Sometimes it really like entering a different world. But also love more social ways of playing! Have a nice weekend!
Thank you for your lovely comment, you have a great weekend too! :)
did not played it for ages, have to do it some of this days.
Me neither really, I played it last time some five years ago but I caught up quickly :)
Life is already a struggle and we must something take things in an easier way, enjoying ourselves.
As a Chess player, Magic player, LEGO builder, RPG player and much more I can confirm you that the brain benefits are endless.
I hope you had much fun today as I did!I absolutely love your post @zen-art! That quote is my introduction post quote as well and something I have on top of my head everyday.
Let's hope everyone makes is half an hour a day, pillow fort, to keep smiling even in hard times!
Thanks @bafi, I am always happy to hear other enjoy playing too. I did have fun and I am glad we both love that quote :)
played a few years ago..wasn't that good.but the game was really fun!great post @zen-art have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend too 💚