I find this is one of the biggest activities that people ignore and do so at the detriment of their mental well-being. The energy of joy, fun, laughter is high and when we are engaged in a high energy it uplifts us and a process of entrainment occurs, when the low vibration emotions are absorbed by the higher vibration emotional energies. The more we experience these lovely energies the greater the dissolve of depressive conditions, it’s great medicine and there are no side effects!
Young children just play, to watch them is a joy as their imagination takes them anywhere they want to go and they are living their play, its real for them. They do not have any boundaries or obstacles, if any arise, they quick find ways to overcome them with play, they are having fun and enjoying life. Yet when was the last time you truly played like a child, no obstacles or boundaries, just in the moment play? Few have since their childhood and there in belies a huge problem with people today, their lack of engaging in playful and uplifting activity and its slowly reducing their life span. Many have what the ‘Jollyologists’ call, Terminal seriousness!
Studies have suggested that people with a positive disposition, good social interaction and friends tend to extend their life span by 7 plus years. When we engage in joyful activity and show kindness it releases within us ‘happy hormones’ that boost our immune system, make us feel good and triggers the genes that slow down the aging process – who needs anti-aging cream!
As the child grows, they play less as the influences of education, parents and society require them to become responsible and serious young adults. So many young people struggling in life because they have lost their connection with their playful creativity, their joyful activity which is a natural state of being human as it is a counterbalance to the stress and challenges life can bring. Without this counterbalance we become mentally challenged.
The simple act of playing, creating and engaging in joyful activity is the mind and body’s natural antidote to stressful experiences.
Okay, let’s look at the things we can do to get ourselves into the play, creating and joyful experiences. If you are suffering from the mental condition of ‘chronic seriousness’ then it may take persistence of action to get yourself back into being okay with playing and taking time out for you to do creative and uplifting things.
Start simple, watch 30 minutes of a humorous or uplifting video every day. Look at the things you would like to do that are creative, stone carving, painting, gardening, art, dancing, solving problems, things that engage your right brain. Go and do it if you can with others, get social with this. For most all this may bring up resistive thoughts or guilt feelings such as, ‘this is difficult’ or ’ I can’t do this’, ‘I should be dong something constructive or working’, ‘it feels uncomfortable doing something for me’. Don’t stop, keep going and just ‘play’ with it. This is also about transforming your mindset and behaviour from being the ‘serious and bored’ person to one who enjoys a balanced and playful life. A bye product of this will also be you attract other playful people into your life, like vibration energy attracts like vibration.
Go practice and enjoy the ride.
Master it, share it and pass it on!
Roy Martin MBE has been helping people transform themselves for over twenty years, guiding and mentoring them to develop lives and businesses that have meaning and purpose.
Roy teaches life with an understanding of the 'More of Life' that transcends the minds ego needs. He helps people connect with their passions and talents, to do the things they love and to follow their calling in life, to be themselves! Most find that what they really want to do touches the lives of others and makes a difference. It opens them to their inner leader.
He runs events, mentorship programmes, and gives talks inspiring people to live the ‘More of life’ that is filled with meaning, purpose and success. He also works with organisations helping them develop their teams and leaders.