Play protects your mind. Laughter improves your immune system. Human touch reduces blood pressure. Yet, we did not need the science to tell us that play simply makes us feel better.
We are currently day 10,002 into quarantining. Frankly, I have lost count. It is just our new normal at this point (until noted differently). Play, connection, and nature has been our coping strategies.
Currently, our living room looks like it has been overrun by The Lost Boys. Our fort building has exploded since Dad purchased some heavy-duty garage style close pins. Dad and Mom were invited into the newest fort addition, as long as, we were “little enough to enter”.
Dad and I agreed, but just a few minutes in we grew too large. We forgot where we were, and we started bringing the stress of work and speaking freely of schedules and to-dos. Simultaneously, the boys started wrestling and rolling and it all ended with Dad getting evicted.
Literally, signs were made and hung and Dad was evicted from our local G.V. Fort, where the initials have no meaning and The Boys rule.
It was a welcomed reminder that play is powerful, and it is a space that needs to be protected. Even Dad and Mom need to leave the to-dos and challenges at bay and relish in play. We need to make time to let the chemical cocktail that play releases soak our brains and hearts. We need to make time for connection, belly laughs, and hugs. In essence, we need to take time to leave all the big people problems aside and step into our own Neverland where the rules are simple and the benefits vast.
This adorable sign was found here, where you can get your own Peter Pan sign customized to your liking.
