Play

the 13th Stress Management Technique

in your Relaxed-and-At-Ease
Guide to Stress Management Techniques

Play... What do you think of when you hear that word?
Here's my answer...

And I think that's one of the reasons why we're all so uptight and stressed.

When my son was younger, he would come bounding into my room, every morning, day after day... Saying, "Play with me! play with me!"

I cannot tell you how much that bugged me. But grudgingly, I'd get up and find a way to be with him that I could tolerate.

What I realized early on was that I felt slightly irritated by his request... And being the insight oriented person that I am... I wondered why I felt that way.

After a few years... I realized that his request was an invitation for me to get in the present moment... and I had adapted to my childhood experience by learning to not be present. Instead, I worked or read books... and I wasn't really Here Now.

I'm not sure if this makes sense, so if it doesn't, please contact me so I can explain this better.

When ever he'd ask me to play, the parts of myself that had shut down around being present and spontaneous were triggered - hence the annoyance.

It's my observation that I'm not alone - it seems that most grown ups have shut down their ability to be present and creative in the moment.

Do you remember...

• Dressing up?
• Using toys to tell a story?
• Exploring with blocks?
• Drawing with crayons?
• Chasing friends - and being "It"?
• Building a fort out of blankets, the sofa and chairs?

If you've forgotten and you don't have children... you can go to any public park and just watch the children.

They do what feels good to them and then they move on.

• They dig in the sand.
• They swing and feel the breeze and reach for the trees with their feet.
• They push their toy trucks around and make cool sounds.
• They are present - and in the moment.

THEY ARE NOT STRESSED!

So what happened to us that we lost that freedom and spontaneity?

Here's what I think...

We learned to be grown ups. We learned that it wasn't okay to be free, spontaneous, and in the moment.

I'm not suggesting that you completely abandon all that you've learned about being a responsible adult... but I am suggesting - for the sake of being relaxed-and-at-ease - that you take on a practice of being...

Creative
In the moment
Spontaneous
Expressive
Unstructured

... a few times a week.

Do you know there are people who go to laughter workshops? I think these workshops are a great way for grown ups to access and unlock their inner child's desire to be free and playful.

If you want more information, here's a link to a cute article about what people know and what they don't know about the benefits of laughter.

I know someone who has trained to lead laughter workshops. She's a personal friend and local colleague - Heather Wandell. Here's a link to Heather's website if you want more information about her workshops or the laughter leader training. I'm sure she'd be willing to answer your questions.

What would feel free, spontaneous, and in the moment to you - right now?

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