The Importance of Play

Over the last few months I have noticed a theme emerging in my life... "the importance of play."

Each time I find myself experiencing stress, becoming irritable or getting frustrated it happens to be during a period of days when I haven't been practicing the best self-care. And for me, self-care must include playtime.

Lately, I haven't really realize I've been stressed or grumpy - I am slightly conscious of it, but haven't taken the additional step of asking myself "what's going on here?" Yesterday, I took the opportunity to go to the beach to play and the results of this activity were incredible.

I just love running around in the ocean, jumping and diving through incredible waves. After expending so much physical energy and just playing like a kid I felt a great sense of exhausted relaxation. Lying on my beach blanket just breathing and resting, and then it hits me... "Wow, I was really stressed." And then, "I feel so much better."

Since getting that hour of playtime I've found myself being less irritable and more playful with my wonderful partner. My level of stress is much lower and I have a much clearer perception of what I would like to accomplish for the day.

This is such a great reminder to me to build in playtime each day, as part of my self-care routine.