How to Play (And Still Be A Grown-Up)It's play time! By rediscovering the abandon of play, you can reduce stress, improve your mental health and take a well-needed time out. We see children do it all the time: jump ropes, create fashion doll musicals, make building block cities, play dress-up and stick-up. They laugh, giggle show off and show up. Sometimes they even tell each other to shut up, and then are friends again, within seconds. As card-carrying members of the adult population, we often fail to recognize that within play lies deeply rooted secrets to our own humanity. Play Supplies:
IDENTIFY HOW YOU PLAY BEST Some people play best alone—a crate full of fashion dolls and they are good to go. Others like one or two friends to build a clay city or play hide and seek through the work cubicles, while others prefer group dynamics such as musical chairs or a rousing game of Twister. CHOOSE YOUR TOYS WISELY Sidewalk chalk can beautify your driveway or write a slick love note to a neighbor. Crayons can be used to color outside of the lines in a coloring book or make a homemade greeting card that can be eaten in case of emergency. The toys you choose need to be appropriate to the situation and the setting: bubbles may have a calming effect at the workplace, but a screaming rubber chicken might put you in the unemployment line. FIND APPROPRIATE PLAYMATES If you are whoopee cushion kind of person, you may not have the best of times with a fashion doll diva. It is important to seek out playmates with similar interests. If you are artistic consider starting a lunchtime drawing group with pilfered office supplies. REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN Play must be fun, I repeat, it must be fun, if you are not having fun it is not play, it is something else entirely and would be included in a very different kind of article such as how to remove a fur ball from an alligator! Tips & Warnings
Article Evaluations (from eHow): 7/1/2009 Ah yes, I play all the time. 34 years old and learning to skateboard, that's my most recent endeavor. I like your ideas, Ada-Reva. 5 5/27/2009 Fun tips and great written format! 5 5/15/2009 Very fun, thanks! 5 5/12/2009 lol..fun..nice work on How to Laugh at Yourself so the World Laughs with You! 5 5/12/2009 My husband and I love to play. Thanks for the great article! 5
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