Play is critical for our wellbeing. Although we tend to think of play as something that is only suitable for children, the truth of the matter is that play offers great benefits to all of us. These range from the physical (we get fitter, our frame becomes stronger) as well as the psychological. When it comes to having fun with your peers at the assisted living community, here are some of the things you should know about why play is important.
Relieves Stress
One of the undeniable facts of life is that it can be very stressful. Infact, for many of us, the stress of modern living can be quite a burden. However, one of the most effective ways of combating stress is play. This is because when we have fun, our body releases feel-good hormones which in turn lower the stress levels in our body.
Social Benefits
We are social creatures, and this means that we are naturally drawn to the company of others. One of the benefits of play is that it brings people together for fun and good times. This in turn helps us to reap all the social benefits that come with being in contact with others. We are a lot happier and our stress levels are a lot lower. Through such activities, we may also end up forming life-long friendships that will help us through the tough times.
Better Physical Health
Depending on the type of play involved, having fun with our friends can also confer on us some great health benefits. We get to move our bodies, especially if the game involves physical movement. This helps in the circulation of blood in the body. This improves our energy levels as there is more oxygen that is reaching the blood cells. Apart from improved energy levels, there is also the reduction in the risk of getting chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes among others.
Improves Brain Health
Different kinds of games challenge our brains in different ways. For example, a game of chess helps to stimulate the part of our brain that controls planning, foresight and so on. When we constantly play such a game, those functions get improved every time. This results in helping you maintain our cognitive abilities while at the same time slowing down problems such as memory loss.
Discover New Possibilities
We are always finding out new things about ourselves. Play is one of the greatest catalysts of this process. When we are at play, we discover new skills that we didn’t know we had. We may also discover new interests, perspectives and so on. All this has the effect of leading us to new adventures and different paths.
Better Interpersonal Skills
The ability to relate with other people as part of a social unit is very important. One way that we can improve this important social skill is through play. When we have fun in a social setting, we lower our guards and allow ourselves to really enjoy the company that we are in. By doing so, we build trust, which is a critical element when it comes to interpersonal skills.
