Rest and Play
By Julia Koop
Paediatric Physiotherapist
Dec 18, 2023
It’s December, we’re slowing down, and we are taking some time back for ourselves to rest. But here’s a fun fact: there are different types of rest that humans need in order for their body, mind, and spirit to function at their best.
Rest can be defined as a state of relaxation - mental, physical, and emotional - that allows us to restore our energy levels and recover from the stressors of our daily lives. It is essential that we meet this need. We can do that with 7 - yes, 7 - different types of rest!
Each type of rest serves a different purpose, and the one we are talking about today is one that might not spring to mind first: PLAY! The others include physical, mental, emotional, sensory, social, and spiritual. By bringing all of these into your life, you’ll achieve greater harmony and balance!
When you think about play in your life, has it been enough of a priority? For too many of us, the answer is no. Often because we have so many competing priorities and play seems, almost by definition, to be low on that list. Play is something we do simply for the joy of it. That doesn’t mean we don’t need it, though.
Play will look different to everyone because we all enjoy different things. It might be board games or comedy shows with friends, chasing kids around the backyard, bowling, trying new recipes, colouring books or creating art, and anything else that gives you that fun, carefree feeling.
It might surprise you to learn just how important these acts of play are. In truth, play provides a number of benefits for our health and wellness. It’s a wonderful way to combat stress. It gives us time and space to process emotions during difficult times and to clear the cobwebs, so to speak, after a long day of work.
It also creates space for us to explore our creative side, finding innovation and new solutions for some of the challenges we face. It helps us to be mindful in the moment and can strengthen relationships when we play with others. It also brings the immense power of laughter and smiles into focus.
Simply put, play is a great contributor to emotional resilience and reduced stress levels.
We understand the barriers. We lead busy lives. Between jobs, parenting, caregiving for loved ones, trying to fit in exercise, grocery shopping, housekeeping, and the other million things that fill up our days, it’s no wonder there’s not enough play in our lives.
But there should be! So, as our year winds down and we settle in for the winter, try to be intentional about setting aside some time for play. Just minutes a day can help you refocus when you’re feeling stuck or relax when you’re feeling tense.
As those early evenings set in, here are a few ways to build a little more play into your life:
Grab a deck of cards or your Scrabble set and challenge family or friends to a game
Splurge on a new set of coloured pencils and a colouring book to doodle in
Print an elaborate recipe from a famous chef and see what you can cook up
Bake a batch of sugar cookies and have a decorating contest with your kids
Find a dance video on Youtube and enjoy music and movement alone or with others
I hope that by bringing more play into your life, you are met with greater joy, balance, and inspiration. Young children instinctively know the importance of play. Your inner child does too - so let her out to have a little fun!
Julia Koop
Paediatric Physiotherapist