Mama Maria dutifully trekked to her health club to climb the stair machine, jog on the treadmill and pedal up “huge inclines” on the stationary bike.
Trouble was, she was bored and began to dread going to the gym.
Papa Pedro wasn’t bored. He was too busy with very important work to take time out to exercise.
But a near-miss with cancer woke Pedro up to the need for physical activity and a reprieve from his previously high-stress, sedentary lifestyle.
Both found their answer by adding the simple childhood ingredient of play to their physical activity.
We all know how important exercise is and what a lack of it can do to us. If the patients that come to see me would add exercise to their lives, their stress and anxiety would diminish by 50-75%!
So why don’t we?!
Researchers recently described sedentary life as the second largest threat to public health, saying that chronic diseases have increased dramatically because of physical inactivity.
There must be a way to encourage the regular physical activity that has long been associated with better health, longer life and greater well-being.
Perhaps play is the way. Working as a registered play therapist, I use play with both children and adults to enable them to express themselves in a fun and non-threatening manner.
Play is the ultimate in cross-training. As you move your body through many ranges of motion at different intensities, you are likely to see gains in strength, stamina and even weight loss—not to mention an increased feeling of liveliness and enthusiasm. But the best part is that when you’re having a good time, you forget you’re actually working out!
Here are a few ways to inject fun into your physical activity.
• Infuse a little “silliness” into your walk by skipping or doing a bit of hopscotch.
• Organize childhood games for an adult party, such as: relay races, tug-of-war, burlap sack races, tag, follow-the-leader and Twister.
• For the super-adventurous, learn how to swing on a trapeze.
• Create little obstacle courses out of trees, curbs, creek beds, potholes, park benches.
• Learn to juggle. You’ll forget how much you’re doing for your upper arms and back.
• Jump rope—alone or with a partner.
• Play tag with your own children or the neighborhood kids.
• Bounce on a trampoline.
• Turn on your favorite high-school dance music and shake your bootie right there in the living room.
• During the summer, play “Shark and Minnow” or “Marco Polo” in the pool rather than do laps.
• Head for the nearest roller-skating or ice-skating rink, or rollerblade in your neighborhood.
• Rent a canoe or find a rowing group, and enjoy being on the water.
• Run through the sprinklers at your neighborhood school.
• Challenge a kid to a bike race.
• Throw a ball, a Frisbee or an X-Zylo around. Chances are you’ll have to run for it!
• Chase the dog.
Now go make your own list. Be as zany and creative as you want! Make a commitment to add play to your life everyday and see how much of a difference it can make!
