playful approach to self-care
One of our favorite moments at Equinimity this year is this playful interaction between our horses, Blue and Little Man. Blue is 41 years old, while Little Man is around 35. Regardless of their age, the joy of play is not lost in our herd.
When we think of the word 'play,' we often regard it as an activity reserved for kids or even the animals we share our lives with. As we age, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, ball games turn into competitive sports, dancing becomes reserved for special occasions, and Easy Bake Ovens are replaced with real stovetop ovens as making food becomes a necessity.
While there is still joy to be found in these activities, our playful disposition often takes a backseat to the seriousness, busyness, complexities, and responsibilities of daily life. Carving out time for play or even considering it as a potential part of our wellness journey can easily fall by the wayside amid our hectic schedules.
As adults, we may no longer be interested in the same games and toys we once loved as kids, but we can harness the same benefits that children gain from playing—a sense of curiosity, a spark of creativity, and, well… fun—when we allow ourselves to engage in joyful activities, without judgment, and connect to the goodness of the present moment.
Research shows that play can relieve stress, stimulate the mind, boost creativity, and improve our connection to others. It may be tricky to think about what could count as play for adults at first, but we are grateful that we don’t have to look too far for inspiration. At Equinimity, we have Mindful Grooming where there are often playful interactions between humans and horses. Those shared laughter and connection among our community contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our collective experiences.
We may have opportunities to integrate a bit of playfulness into our everyday lives as well. For example, we could get creative with our cooking, with no expectations for how it will turn out, but simply for the joy of exploring new ingredients and taste. We could spend a few minutes drawing, experiencing a sense of freedom from expressing ourselves through art. We could put on our favorite songs and pretend that we are headlining a concert as we go about our errands and feel energized by the music.
And as we find ways to play, we may also discover that these activities allow us to practice embodiment—being able to fully experience our bodies, establishing a deep mind-body connection. From swimming in the pool for the fun of it, to jumping on a trampoline with a friend, we can nurture our well-being by embracing how we feel in our bodies during these carefree moments.
Laughter is a beautiful, natural byproduct of fun. And if we give ourselves a break to experience times of lightheartedness, we can increase our capacity to handle life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Play can be a vital way that we care for ourselves.
Lastly, we would like to close by acknowledging that finding opportunities for play may not always be feasible for everyone, especially during difficult phases of life. And it’s okay if the most that we can do is breathe.
We hope that in those moments, as we breathe in and out, that we may all feel a sense of peace and calm within. May these moments someday help us find the space to include play and more laughter and joy into our lives.
_______
If you would like to explore more breathing exercises, we have three quick breathing exercises available on our website.
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When we think of the word 'play,' we often regard it as an activity reserved for kids or even the animals we share our lives with. As we age, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, ball games turn into competitive sports, dancing becomes reserved for special occasions, and Easy Bake Ovens are replaced with real stovetop ovens as making food becomes a necessity.
While there is still joy to be found in these activities, our playful disposition often takes a backseat to the seriousness, busyness, complexities, and responsibilities of daily life. Carving out time for play or even considering it as a potential part of our wellness journey can easily fall by the wayside amid our hectic schedules.
As adults, we may no longer be interested in the same games and toys we once loved as kids, but we can harness the same benefits that children gain from playing—a sense of curiosity, a spark of creativity, and, well… fun—when we allow ourselves to engage in joyful activities, without judgment, and connect to the goodness of the present moment.
Research shows that play can relieve stress, stimulate the mind, boost creativity, and improve our connection to others. It may be tricky to think about what could count as play for adults at first, but we are grateful that we don’t have to look too far for inspiration. At Equinimity, we have Mindful Grooming where there are often playful interactions between humans and horses. Those shared laughter and connection among our community contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our collective experiences.
We may have opportunities to integrate a bit of playfulness into our everyday lives as well. For example, we could get creative with our cooking, with no expectations for how it will turn out, but simply for the joy of exploring new ingredients and taste. We could spend a few minutes drawing, experiencing a sense of freedom from expressing ourselves through art. We could put on our favorite songs and pretend that we are headlining a concert as we go about our errands and feel energized by the music.
And as we find ways to play, we may also discover that these activities allow us to practice embodiment—being able to fully experience our bodies, establishing a deep mind-body connection. From swimming in the pool for the fun of it, to jumping on a trampoline with a friend, we can nurture our well-being by embracing how we feel in our bodies during these carefree moments.
Laughter is a beautiful, natural byproduct of fun. And if we give ourselves a break to experience times of lightheartedness, we can increase our capacity to handle life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Play can be a vital way that we care for ourselves.
Lastly, we would like to close by acknowledging that finding opportunities for play may not always be feasible for everyone, especially during difficult phases of life. And it’s okay if the most that we can do is breathe.
We hope that in those moments, as we breathe in and out, that we may all feel a sense of peace and calm within. May these moments someday help us find the space to include play and more laughter and joy into our lives.
_______
If you would like to explore more breathing exercises, we have three quick breathing exercises available on our website.
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