Have you ever had one of those realizations that hits you like a baseball bat?
My whole adult life has revolved around play – playing and teaching the classical guitar; playing music with other people; playing with sound and sound tools; playing with my grandchildren.
Yet I have worked hard at it. At times, too hard! What an oxymoron!
What led to the baseball bat? The pandemic shifted priorities for me to writing, recording training videos and developing our Level 3 training for practitioners. They were great goals for our business, but it wasn’t until the end of 2023 when I realized that I had also created a big hole in my life.
My play was missing, so many of the activities that feed my heart! Well, I immediately joined the Guitar Society Guitar Orchestra and what fun. It reconnected me to my favorite play and my heart was filled with joy.
Playing music with other people (including singing in a choir) is one of the healthiest things you can do. It is a wellness superpower that feeds physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health with floods of healthy hormones released by the nervous system.
Our conductor, Mandy, a long-time friend and colleague, records all of our performances and shares them on her YouTube channel. Here is a link to our performance of “Farewell to Stromness”, an arrangement I made many years ago.
https://youtu.be/3mxmPSIV_rY?si=lRvnox3Fjgev8q2V
What does play do for you?
The following information (everything within the quotes) comes from ChatGPT. I thought it was an excellent list of the benefits of play, especially for adults.
The New Moon coming up on August 4 has so many planets lined up to encourage your inner Divine, Magical Child to come out to play. It carries spectacular energy to create intentions to bring more joy to your life!
I invite you to contemplate the list, especially areas where you may be able to add more play to your life:
“Play is an essential aspect of human life, crucial for physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development across all ages. Here are some key reasons why play is crucial for adult well-being:
1. Stress Relief and Relaxation
- Stress Reduction: Play helps reduce stress by allowing adults to take a break from their daily routines and responsibilities. Activities that are fun and engaging can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.
- Relaxation: Engaging in playful activities promotes relaxation and helps to refresh the mind and body.
2. Mental Health Benefits
- Improved Mood: Play triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can improve mood and foster a sense of happiness.
- Cognitive Function: Play stimulates the brain and can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, creativity, problem-solving skills, and mental flexibility.
3. Social Connection
- Building Relationships: Play often involves social interaction, which can strengthen relationships, build new friendships, and improve communication skills.
- Sense of Belonging: Participating in group play activities fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for emotional well-being.
4. Physical Health Benefits
- Exercise: Many forms of play involve physical activity, which can improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and enhance overall physical fitness.
- Motor Skills: Play can help maintain and improve fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and balance.
5. Emotional Resilience
- Coping Mechanism: Play provides a healthy outlet for expressing emotions and can be a coping mechanism for dealing with life’s challenges.
- Self-Esteem: Engaging in playful activities can boost self-esteem and confidence, especially when individuals succeed or achieve something within those activities.
6. Creativity and Innovation
- Creative Thinking: Play encourages creativity and innovation by allowing adults to think outside the box and explore new ideas without the fear of failure.
- Problem-Solving: Playful scenarios often require problem-solving skills, which can translate into better decision-making in real-life situations.
7. Work-Life Balance
- Preventing Burnout: Incorporating play into daily life can prevent burnout by ensuring that there is time for leisure and enjoyment, not just work and responsibilities.
- Enhanced Productivity: Taking breaks to engage in playful activities can lead to increased productivity and creativity when returning to work tasks.
8. Lifelong Learning
- Continuous Growth: Play promotes lifelong learning and curiosity, keeping the mind engaged and active throughout adulthood.
- Adaptability: Through play, adults can learn to adapt to new situations and challenges, enhancing their ability to handle change in other areas of life.
Incorporating play into everyday life can be as simple as pursuing hobbies, playing sports, participating in games, or engaging in creative activities. The key is to find activities that are enjoyable and allow for relaxation and self-expression.”
Now it’s your turn…
I encourage you to contemplate what activities you already do that bring the energy of play or fun to your life. Make a list if you wish. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we are already doing until we acknowledge it.
Some Sound Wellness options…
- This month’s Sound Bath on the Wellness Universe platform was all about playing with the Inner Divine Magical Child. You can check out the recording here. There are a pile of recordings on the page – scroll down to the August 1, 2024 recording:
https://wellnessuniverse.learnitlive.com/Class/Food-for-Your-Soul-Sound-Bath-with-WU-Expert-Sharon-Carne/22253 - Join me for the final Summer Sound Self Care webinar on August 12 where you can explore ways to play with sound to support your self-care:
https://wellnessuniverse.learnitlive.com/Class/Summer-Sound-Self-Care/24659 - Play with your own voice and its power to create health and wellbeing in the weekly Sound Wellness Chakra Toning Circle.
https://wellnessuniverse.learnitlive.com/Class/Sound-Wellness-Chakra-Toning-Circle/21323
In Health and Harmony,
