The Benefits of Fun-Raising

"Today is good. Today is fun Tomorrow is another one." -- Dr. Seuss

I recently saw a meme that said something to the effect of: "After careful consideration, I decided this being an adult thing is not working out for me." Of course the humor in it is that most of us can relate. Sometimes that desire just to be a kid again finds its way into our mind before we quickly dismiss it and move on to our next deadline, demand, or decision. I think the lure of our childhood is rooted in the seemingly endless hours we had to just -- play. In fact we were encouraged and often commanded to "go outside and play". In retrospect, it seems those demands became more frequent and more exasperated as the summer continued to roll on. Many a back-to-school ad brought relief and maybe even a wry smile to a worn-out parent.  Perhaps you've smiled that smile yourself.

This all came to mind when I realized that over the next month or two, school years will wind down and one thing will be on the minds of kids everywhere. Summer vacation. With a bit of envy, I thought about all those wonderful opportunities for fun and games -- if you happen to be a kid. Since I have long passed that particular threshold in my life, I immediately moved into adult mode and politely advised myself to put on my big boy pants and deal with it.

Then, I got to thinking. Why should play and fun be the exclusive domain of the juvenile set? As parents we've researched the benefits of play and as a result encourage our children and grandchildren to do as much as they can. So, why are we not extending these same benefits to ourselves and doing more to increase our own opportunities for fun and games? Childish? Hardly. According to HealthGuide.org, there is a good reason we, as adults, should spend more time playing. This site suggests: "Play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning, and connect you to others and the world around you. Play can also make work more productive and pleasurable."

Here are a few of the benefits play can provide taken directly from the HealthQuest.org site:

·         Relieve stress. Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

·         Improve brain function. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.

·         Stimulate the mind and boost creativity. Young children often learn best when they are playing—and that principle applies to adults, as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and problem solve. -- Find more at HealthGuide.org 

So let's find time to put the electronic gadgets away and become the "fun-raisers" in our circle of influence. With the warmer weather making its way and bringing longer days with it, let's make play a priority and a habit. If we do it right, we may find ourselves a whole lot more fun to be around.