The Power of Play: A Path to Healing Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD
In today's fast-paced, information-driven world, it's easy to forget the importance of play in our lives. Play is not only crucial for our mental health, but it also helps us transition from a survival mindset to a thriving one. In this blog post, we'll discuss the healing power of play and provide practical tips to help you reconnect with your playful side.
The Importance of Play in Healing:
Despite the abundance of information available to us, many people still struggle with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Healing requires more than knowledge; it demands action. One of the most effective actions we can take is engaging in play.
Play is a biological necessity for mammals and an essential aspect of development. It prepares us for adulthood, helps us integrate ownership over our bodies, and balances our minds. Unfortunately, trauma, chaos, and toxic parenting can suppress our natural inclination to play, leading some to believe that anxiety and depression are inherent parts of their personalities. In reality, these feelings often stem from a lack of light, joyful, and spontaneous play.
Reconnecting with Playfulness:
To help you reconnect with your playful side, here are five simple yet profound ways to incorporate play into your daily life:
Daydream: Allow yourself to daydream about positive experiences, whether real or imagined. This practice can bring lightness and presence to your life.
Embrace silliness: Give yourself permission to be silly and let go of judgment or criticism. This can include making funny faces in the mirror or dancing around your living room.
Engage in creative activities: Pursue painting, drawing, writing, or other creative outlets to tap into your playful side and encourage curiosity.
Play games: Participate in board games, video games, or outdoor sports to bring joy and lightness to your life.
Connect with nature: Spend time in nature, exploring and playing like a child to feel more grounded and present.
The Journey to Embrace Daydreaming:
Growing up, my German grandmother saw daydreaming as a waste of time, influenced by her experiences during the depression. As an adult, I learned to give myself permission to daydream and recognize its value. My inner child, initially unsure if daydreaming was safe, gradually learned to love it. I believe my strong, insightful grandmother would have walked this journey with me and found peace in daydreaming as well.
More Ways to Bring Fun into Your Life:
Do a puzzle: Puzzles, whether simple or intricate, help you practice presence and savor a beautiful image.
Go somewhere new: Explore a park, museum, old bookstore, or even a cemetery to connect with the past and feel alive.
Laugh at yourself: Learn to laugh at yourself with love and maturity, lightening difficult life moments.
Blow bubbles: This simple, joyful activity connects us with wonder and reminds us of the lightness we all need in our lives.
By giving ourselves permission to daydream, laugh, and play, we can reclaim the joy and lightness missing from our lives. Simple activities like puzzles and blowing bubbles, exploring new places, or learning to laugh at ourselves can provide essential self-care and nourishment for our well-being. Embrace these moments and allow yourself to experience the happiness and healing they offer.
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- Childhood 37
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- Emotions 71
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- Family 24
- Fatigue 4
- Focus 3
- Gratitude 11
- Grief 10
- Guilt 2
- Healers 7
- Healing 51
- High Sensation 4
- Hope 1
- Hypervigilance 7
- Introverts 6
- Lonliness 7
- Love 3
- Manifesting 5
- Manipulation 19
- Men 1
- Mindfulness 36
- Money 10
- Music 3
- Nutrition 2
- Overthinking 8
- PTSD 11
- Parenting 12
- People Pleasing 7
- Perfectionism 6
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- Self Esteem 16
- Self Love 11
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Episode Tags
- ADD 1
- Abuse 14
- Alcohol 3
- Anger 8
- Bullying 4
- Childhood 37
- Codependency 7
- Covid 4
- Crystal Catalina 4
- Depression 15
- Detachment 2
- Disassociation 4
- Emotions 71
- Existentialism 1
- Faith 1
- Family 24
- Fatigue 4
- Focus 3
- Gratitude 11
- Grief 10
- Guilt 2
- Healers 7
- Healing 51
- High Sensation 4
- Hope 1
- Hypervigilance 7
- Introverts 6
- Lonliness 7
- Love 3
- Manifesting 5
- Manipulation 19
- Men 1
- Mindfulness 36
- Money 10
- Music 3
- Nutrition 2
- Overthinking 8
- PTSD 11
- Parenting 12
- People Pleasing 7
- Perfectionism 6
- Pets 4
- Relationships 12
- Resiliency 12
- Sadness 1
- Self Esteem 16
- Self Love 11
- Self-Care 24
- Sex 1
- Shame 4
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