#playful

I don’t know about you, but I sure do love a good challenge.

The very idea of stretching myself beyond my comfort zone is exhilarating, if not a little intimidating at times. I know the best way to grow is to push myself, which is exactly what challenges are designed to do.

Plus, that feeling of satisfied accomplishment upon completion can’t be beat!

Often times, my gut reaction to a challenge is to put on my game face and charge ahead with a no-nonsense attitude of determination and grit, drive and focus.

This is all fine and good, but what I find time and time again is that I enjoy a challenge SO MUCH MORE when I can be #playful with it. 

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Being #playful has its advantages.

In fact, research shows that people who exhibit high levels of #playfulness appear to be better at coping with stress, more likely to succeed academically, and even more likely to lead an active lifestyle!  

Think back to when you were a child – what did you love to do for fun? Ride your bike? Twist and twirl and flip and spin in gymnastics? Lace up your roller skates? Jump rope? Hula hoop? Cartwheel? Odds are, you were happiest when you were being #playful.

Bringing a #playful quality to your adult life doesn’t mean skirting responsibility or avoiding reality - it just means you get to enjoy both your reality AND your responsibilities that much more!

As we undergo a new season, I wonder if we can add a little more #playful into our days.

I challenge you to crank up the music and dance around the house during chores.

Or wear the flamingo socks with the business suit.

Maybe jot down a knock-knock joke and tuck it in your kiddo’s lunchbox, or unexpectedly pinch your partner’s tushie as they walk by.

If you’re feeling extra bold, try sharing a laugh with a stranger on the subway.

Give yourself permission to pursue the #playful!

​As George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

Smiling at you from here,
Coach Alex