Sunday was the official first day of spring. The longer days and warmer temps help my family spend more time outside. We have been eating dinner outside, playing volleyball and ping pong, and just sitting in the backyard talking. I have been loving the more playful energy that spring seems to elicit.

Playful energy wasn't always something that I could access. I was so stressed out all the time that I couldn't even comprehend the word play.

I would find myself getting irritated when my daughter would want me to play because I was so exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed out and it took so much to muster up that energy from my already empty tank.

When those feelings came up I would get so sad. I wanted to be able to have the energy to play with my daughter. I felt like I was just barely surviving each day; getting done what HAD to get done and not being able to do much more. Playful energy wasn’t even a thought or consideration.

What I wanted more than anything was to be able to play. But why isn't play emphasized in life unless you are a kid? When did we forget how important it is to have play be a part of our life?

Roy Bennett says, "The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy."

I know this was true for me. When I finally slowed down and took a hard look at what was important in life, I found a way to use my energy on the things that were important to me, like finding time to play with my family.

Stress has a funny way of making you think the things that bring you stress are more important than they are. This is why we often stay in a cycle of stress for long periods of time.

Play is important for us to be able to balance out the stress of our lives. It releases endorphins, improves the functionality of our brains, and stimulates creativity. It helps us to find more enjoyment in our lives while it also helps us relax. It reinvigorates your relationships and yourself!

Now I make sure that play is a part of my everyday life. It is actually part of my overall wellness plan. I make sure each day to carve out a little time for it; whether that means I go for a walk, a hike, ride my bike, play board games, have a dance party, play ping pong, or whatever else my family or friends want to do. I have found that not only am I happier and have more energy, but I am healthier too.

Is play a part of your everyday life? Let me know in the comments how you incorporate play into your day.

I hope your first week of spring is a good one! If you are having trouble finding ways to incorporate play into your day or just need accountability and support on your journey don't hesitate to reach out. You can just click here to let me know where you are struggling. I will write you back!