Restorative Power of Play

You know it’s true. We spend so much time working, running our households, giving back to our communities, our endless to-do lists, and pursuing our goals that we forget one crucial element to our well-being and happiness. PLAY.

When is the last time you played? And it doesn’t count if you play with your kids but secretly loathe the nonstop game of Barbies or trucks that makes you want to lock yourself in a closet and hide.

As an executive coach for women, I find that clients have no idea how to set aside time for joy and play time. I can’t blame them! I’m guilty of that myself and am always looking for ways to embrace that whimsical innocence we had as kids where play time was our life’s work.

Benefits of Play

Play time isn’t just for kids. Adults should absolutely engage in the restorative practice of play time.

Doctor and author Bowen F. White says the only kind of play we honor is competitive play. Adults and anyone with a Type A personality probably struggle with the idea of play unless it signals success. We tinker with a guitar and suddenly want to crush the goal of getting ready to perform in public. Or we decide to take up soccer at a rec club and suddenly we’re consumed with winning. 🏆🏆🏆

However, we don’t shed the need for play because we grow up. Play brings joy and is also essential to develop and refine our problem-solving and creativity skills. It’s also just fun and can enhance our relationships. After all, who wants to hang out with someone who is perpetually over-stressed and only focused on work and responsibilities?

Play time should be about delighting your spirit and freeing yourself to have fun on your own terms.

Stuart Brown, MD studied thousands of people from ordinary business people to Nobel Prize winners. He found that play is crucial for developing new connections and stronger bonds, even rekindling romantic relationships 💕

In Search of More Play

My work as an executive coach for women often crosses paths with other talented coaches. And, I regularly connect with Amy Yip, a Life Transformation & Mental Fitness Coach. Amy has made some impressive and radical choices in her life in search of more play time. (Spoiler alert: She found it!) Amy also runs her coaching business while being a nomad and traveling the world. Amy recently walked through Wayfinders community through a Facebook Live where she:

• Defines play

• Describes how being a nomad allowed more play in her life

• Walks us through periods of her life that lacked play and the consequences

• How she incorporated more play into her life and thrived

• Shares her best tips for folks that want to incorporate more play into their lives, too

Wanna Play?

Once you’ve devoured Amy’s story and all of her revolutionary advice, it’s time to PLAY!!!

However, if you need a little boost remembering HOW to play, do a brief brainstorm of what brings you joy and makes you laugh. Think about what you LOVED to do as a kid or young adult, when time just slipped away from you. Did you love to ride your bike or tinker in the kitchen? Did you spend your afternoons rollerblading or building elaborate Lego sets? Prior to having kids, did you go out dancing all night or curl up in bed with a great book? If enjoyment was your only objective, how would you spend your day?

Do you want to find time for more play and start fearlessly living your best life? If you’re ready to explore my services as an executive coach for women, apply for a complimentary Discovery Session here.

And remember, anyone or anything who doesn’t light you up is too small for you,

Sarah-Nell

Executive Coach + Trusted Advisor to Attorneys and Business Owners