Learn to love playing again

Amid the craziness of this summer, I had a wonderful few days at my lovely Cornish Valley View cottage. I was joined by my friend Sara and we got stuck into a few challenges from my Adventure Challenge book (Friends Edition). I must say, we’ve got a bit addicted to revealing the next challenge and the mayhem that usually ensues!

If you haven’t heard of this crazy Adventure Challenge book, it’s a collection of 50 silly, fun challenges that you scratch off and have to complete before moving on to the next one. You can get a couples edition and a family edition too. It’s all about doing something fun and exciting to create new memories with your friends.

During our time in Cornwall, Sara and I:

1. Rolled down a sand dune (like I did when I was a child)

2. Threw a water balloon to each other blindfolded (we both got soaked)

3. Had a picnic on an inflatable (we slightly adapted this one with our friend who took us in his boat to a fabulous picnic spot)

4. Grape bobbing (who knew that grapes actually sink in water so this is harder than you think!)

I just love the idea of spending time with friends or family and doing silly stuff without feeling self-conscious, making memories and laughing lots! The book is great for getting us out of our everyday routine and making plans to get together. There are spaces in the book to record your challenges with photos and notes, it creates a lovely record of fun times!

As adults we can forget or get out of the habit of having fun, just for the sake of it. Life becomes full of work and responsibilities and worries. But play is not just for kids, it’s an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults too. Play can refuel our imagination and creativity, help us reconnect when we’ve lost touch and to forget our worries and be sociable again.

Play triggers the release of endorphins, our feel-good hormones, to promote a greater sense of wellbeing. We also learn quicker when it’s fun, and games can help to invigorate our brain power too – keeping us feeling young and energetic.

Play helps us to build strong, healthy relationships by bringing us closer to friends and family, we create positive bonds and can resolve disagreements more easily. Of course, with play comes laughter and I firmly believe in the power of laughter (see my previous blog)

. The great feelings that come from laughter and having fun stay with us long after the giggles have subsided – we can retain an optimistic outlook through difficult situations and disappointments.

It's never too late to discover your playful side, especially if you link up with a friend to do it. I did feel a bit self-conscious at first, especially when I was playing hopscotch in the middle of Stratford while eating a doughnut, but people were so friendly, the fun was infectious and some even joined in!

So why not turn off the laptop, the phone, the TV and get together with friends or family for an afternoon or evening of childish fun to put a smile on everyone’s face? If you want to try something new and have fun learning to create an exciting piece of art, why not join me at an Artistic ReTreats Powertex workshop?