Finding joy and play is one way to destress. And as adults, we forget how!
Finding joy and play is one way to destress. And as adults, we forget how! The quickest way to figure out what you may enjoy doing is by asking your 11 year old self to play! What were some of the things that you enjoyed most as a child?
Here are some ways to find joy and play for stress relief:
- Play a board game or puzzle
- Ride a bike
- Join a dance class
- Play music or have a living room dance party
- Learn a new instrument
- Spend time with children
- Paint or color (Adult Coloring Books are a thing)
- Go for a walk
- Play catch
- Join an adult league of your favorite sport
- Bake a cake or cookies
- Read a book
When I ask myself what activities I remember most about my childhood, I think of dance, riding my bike, and playing the clarinet. I have many memories dancing and twirling around the house. When I noticed my 10 year old niece doing the same thing, it hit me. I missed it! So now I play my favorite music and dance around the kitchen while I cook dinner and it brings me so much joy! I also love having living room dance parties with my nieces and nephews!
I also go on monthly bike rides with my dad. We get some one-on-one time, recharge, exercise, and spend time in nature. It is a power-house activity that hits on some of my deepest values: Social Connection and Self-Care.
More recently, I took up drum lessons at age 34! It’s never too late to learn something new. I was 3rd chair in my middle school band and while I enjoyed playing the clarinet, I always secretly envied the percussion section. They looked like they were having so much fun. So as an adult, I decided to take up private drum lessons which I now look forward to every week. There is something about learning a new instrument that requires so much concentration, it quiets my brain and I always leave feeling both accomplished and restored.
