From Barn Owl Primitives at Etsy
“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair”— Khalil Gibran
One day, I woke up and realized I had forgotten how to play. I had been an expert as a child.
Many parents get overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for a child in addition to everything else in their lives. When we are overwhelmed our field of vision narrows, our sense of humor and curiosity are dimmed. Luckily, learning how to play is like riding a bike; it comes back quickly.
What I relearned is that if you love doing something, it becomes play. Play comes in moments, you don’t have to go out and buy gear to do it. You just have to open up and relax enough and playfulness will find you.
Last week, as part of a series on Dan Siegel’s Healthy Mind Platter, and postpartum overwhelm, I talked about Focus. This week we explore play. Dan says about play, “when we allow ourselves to be spontaneous or creative, playfully enjoying novel experiences, we help make new connections in the brain.” Play is healthy food for our brains, counteracts stress, and is fun. Give yourself permission to play.
On the Mat—
Yoga is a great way to play. Roll out your mat, put on some music and start to explore your breath and movement. It doesn’t matter for how long or if your alignment is perfect. Allow waves of movement to flow through you, wiggle your hips, exhale out loud! Find your favorite asana and do it three different ways. Invent your own pose if you want. Have fun.
Off the Mat-
First ask yourself, “what do I love to do?” Are you relaxed enough to answer? If not, breathe in and out, slowly and deeply for three full breaths. Send yourself some love. If answers still don’t come, don’t worry. Try again another time. Don’t make play another thing you “should” feel like doing, if it’s not for you now, find another way to care for yourself. Taking a nap can be the best play of all.
If you did come up with a list of things you love to do, write them down in brightly colored fun handwriting and post it somewhere you can see it. Just seeing the list will make your heart glad, and then sometime soon give yourself permission to play. Play for the love of it.
“May we all be safe, may we all be at ease, may we all play.”
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