Movement-Play

We’ve been conditioned to think that we need to “workout” 4-5 days a week for health. It keeps gyms in business, cycle studios full, and trainers busy. But what if we could go back to our childhood and ponder what it was like to just play? I remember playing tag and tug of war, riding my bike, and swimming for hours. Games like Maco Polo or Red Rover kept us moving. 

What if we could incorporate more play into our movement? Wouldn’t we be more apt to stick to a workout routine if it were fun and we actually enjoyed it? I am not a cyclist, much to the chagrin of my husband, but there was a time when I was going through some nasty emotional things, and running was my stress outlet. There came a point when I just wanted to close my eyes and lose myself in music while moving. Not ideal on a treadmill. So, I took up a friend’s suggestion to try the Spin class next door. It turned out to be the perfect alternative. It was a dark room with nightclub vibes where the music drowned out all of my swirling thoughts, the group of us moving simultaneously to the choreography as sweat poured off me, taking all of my negative emotions with it. I’ve been “spinning” ever since because I love it so much, and it’s FUN.

Think back to things you loved to do as a kid and find new versions of that for your adult self. Loved climbing trees? Take up rock climbing to build strength, endurance, and problem-solving skills. Loved the water? Try a water aerobics class, or try paddleboarding or kayaking. Those activities are great for strengthening the core, arms, and balance. Did gymnastics when you were little? Try Rebounding, which is great for cardio and is joint-friendly. You just have to use your imagination a little bit and let go of the idea that adults have to be so serious all of the time. 

By treating movement as play, your workouts can become much more enjoyable, and you will stick with it, which is the point of this whole thing. What types of playful activities do you enjoy?