4 Reasons why ,
free play beats working out at the gym
Remember when you used to play? Running after the person who was ‘it’, because nobody ever wants to be ‘it’. Jumping off the highest point on the jungle gym. Swinging so high you swear you could actually touch the sky. Sliding down the slide face first because the more dangerous the better and then rolling around in laughter. Lots and lots of laughter. Playing was so much fun, as we stretched our imaginations and created fantastical scenarios that broke the confining limitations of our small world.
Now do you remember how you felt after a rigorous day of playing? You were just pumped, and for the most part, always happy and carefree. Too bad that feeling doesn’t always last forever, as the reality of our grownup world quickly sets in. Slowly we succumb to the responsibilities of adulthood, and exchange authentic playfulness with working long hours and sacrificing relationships for the hopes of promotion, a bonus and the elusive corner office. This lifestyle comes at a price as slowly we succumb to feeling overworked and frustrated, not to mention living in a constant state of lethargy, where unhealthy behaviors deplete our body of energy and dragging ourselves out of bed in the morning requires the strength of the Hulk.
So what can one do to combat these feelings?Well read on dear reader.
Recently we had some unexpected hot days here in the Big Apple, more like apple sauce, as we were all melting in the hot sun. One day it reached 95 degrees, a real scorcher. Thankfully the sprinklers were turned on at my son’s school. Having the sprinklers on was a god send, as all the kids lost themselves to the joy of splashing in the cool water, and getting totally soaked, at least that’s how my son rolls. He loves the water, which drives me crazy as he hates to take a bath, what is up with that? Makes no sense, but honestly, most of the things that kids do rarely make any sense.
Seeing my son playing and enjoying himself is awesome, such innocence and purity at work is so heart warming. At play among his friends, my son is the master of his world, and no one can tell him otherwise. I marvel as he connects easily with his fellow play artists, friends and strangers alike, not demanding anything in return, just their time, energy and enthusiasm. Kids of various colors, creeds and ethnicities who come into his proximity are easily welcomed. They run, chase and laugh with one another. They also engage in a joint curiosity when another finds something of simple interest; it usually tends to be bugs because there is nothing quite as interesting as creepy crawlies, the grosser the better, ahh kids.
Breaking for a quick respite from his play, he came over to me and paused for some snacks. Playing in the hot sun can get a child’s appetite pretty worked up. As he munched on his sandwich and goldfish crackers, I asked him, “Hey buddy nice day right?” He then responded, “Yeah dad, it’s awesome, I’m really happy.”
He then proceeded to choke down his food, as he did not want to miss a game of bumper cars, a game the kids play sitting at the end of a slide and each one takes turns sliding down sideways bumping one another off the slide. It sounds weird I know, but trust me it’s fun, at least it looks that way, as grown ups are not allowed to play, something about butt size or not being cool enough, it’s always political man, even at the playground. But I digress. As I was watching him play I was standing in the sunlight. The combination of the sun’s warmth and seeing my son's joyfulness felt good, really good. I couldn’t help having this big ole smile on my face, as sharing this moment with my son, and the various kids in the park, just made me happy.
Now mind you before I came to the park I was not feeling up to the playground. I did not sleep well, and had only gotten three hours of sound sleep, so my mood was not perky, even after copious amounts of java. But after that moment in the sun watching my boy, it hit me, like a Starbuck's super venti, triple shot americano, right to the brain, I felt a sudden burst of positive energy. It was in that moment I realized how critical play and outside activities can be to healthy adult behavioral development. Play shouldn’t always be seen as a silly, extracurricular chaotic activity regulated only for children, but rather an essential life tool for child and adult alike. Research shows that outdoor free play provides many valuable health benefits to not only children but adults as well, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.
So check out these four sure fire benefits of engaging in play, and then prepare to get outside. Your body will thank you.
1) Brain Health
Cognitive science experts all agree that free play not only benefits the mind of a child but adult brain development as well. Studies have shown that free play affects neurological development and determines how the neural circuits of the brain are wired. Put simply, free play has beneficial impact to a person’s confidence, intelligence and physiology. Additionally, free play also helps individuals develop better reasoning and problem solving as well as improves focus, healthy self-management and fuels creativity.
2) Physical Wellness
Research shows various forms of free play are beneficial to being physically fit and healthy. Playing is a creative form of physical activity. Playing has lasting effects on the body as it builds stronger muscles, improves bone density and heart function and prevents obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. And here you thought a game of freeze tag was nothing but running around like a crazy person.
Did you know that the playground is a exercise gym in disguise? The playground is an unexpected arena to work out and one of the most fun, and healthy, activities you can do with your child. The plethora of options in playground equipment today lends itself to an unlimited resource of unique exercise equipment that benefits both grown up and child alike. All the tools and gear you need to reap the physical benefits of a whole body workout are not only free but easy to use. Take that, expensive gym membership!
It is also important to note that today individuals are often seen plugged into their various electrical devices and technological systems, making health and quality family time a challenge. The struggle to engage in quality outdoor time, physical play and family time is often greater when it involves children, who often times sacrifice physical activity for spending time on various social media outlets and game consoles. In order to better engage in quality time with your children, and cut the technological umbilical cord, it helps to engage in physical activity with your child. Put simply, they see you play, then they want to play and if you all play then boom, instant family time.
3) Emotional Strength
The physical benefits of play are quite evident, but other surprising benefits involves one's emotional health as well. Research has shown that play has a dramatic impact in building self-confidence and frustration tolerance.
Play also helps with emotion management and learning to deal with certain fears and scary experiences. Remember when you had to slide down the fireman’s pole at the playground? Come on, those pole seemed really high to a kid. Or better yet, remember when you were playing hide and seek, and you had to hide in a tunnel or other small space until you were found? Well all that experimentation helps build confidence and emotional strength when dealing with adult challenges out in the real world.
4) Healthy Social Networking
Remember when being social meant spontaneous meetups with friends to hang out or play a pickup game of basketball or baseball? In our current tech focused environment we as adults can often become complacent in building real relationships in lieu of artificial social networking, due to time constraints or work obligations. Interactions built during play with others can enforce healthy social connections and important relationship-building tools.
It is important to note that play can be more than just running around the playground. It can also mean discovering a forgotten talent, an activity or even a hobby that you love and don’t have time to do. The importance is to do something that lights you up! Engage in a sense of self play that fills you with that childlike enjoyment you had as youth. Even if it’s running through the sprinklers.
So be bold and run free,
Ed Munoz