Play deprivation is very dangerous and harmful for children and adults. No matter how old a person is, laughter, fun and play are necessary for good health.
Have you wondered why people develop heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, alcoholism, obesity, drug abuse, relationship conflict, divorce and family conflicts? Have you wondered why people develop more illnesses and severe illnesses as they age?
Do you know how play and illness are alike?
Play and illness share three common dynamics as pointed out in The Check Point Choice and The Child Choice in my mental fitness books:
- Play and illness are highly emotional;
- Play and illness are highly irrational; and
- Play and illness are not worried about consequences.
When people get really sick, it is a highly emotional experience for them. When people get sick, it is not planned. Sickness doesn't consider possible consequences. Getting sick is not a logical goal, it is very irrational to be sick.
On the other hand, play is also highly emotional, care free, and not concerned about consequences. Usually, people are not worried about making rational decisions when they play.
Believe it or not, you have the choice to play or not play. People who don't play, oftentimes become seriously sick. If you are sick, learning to play and continuing to play are important for recovery.
There was an extended period of time in my life, when I did not take vacations. After being sick for a month every two years over a six-year period and unable to work during that time, I finally figured it out. I decided to take a week vacation every three months. I chose to play rather than be sick.
Once I began to play, I broke the pattern of significant illness every two years.
Senatorjam wrote a numerous article, Adult Play Yard. He talked about having an adult play yard at McDonald's to interrupt a person's work schedule.
Chuck Gallozzi wrote a very enlightening article on the Benefits of Laughter. Chuck presented a quote from William James, "We don't laugh because we are happy, we are happy because we laugh".
Dr. William Frey discovered that kindergarten children laugh 300 times a day, while adults only laugh 17 times a day. Chuck surprisingly concluded "We don't stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stopped laughing".
Norman Cousins was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. He was given five months to live. He realized that negative thoughts could create illness and reasoned that positive thoughts could heal. He left the hospital and went to a hotel, where he took massive doses of vitamin C and watched humorous shows and movies. He found that 10 minutes of laughter gave him two hours of painless sleep. He continued to laugh until he was healed. He discovered laughter is the best medicine.
You have a choice: to play or to become sick!
Remember, You Live within the Environment Created by Your Choices!
Dr. Hal
Life and Mental Fitness Coach
Play England’s first national conference argued today that we need to plan, develop and maintain better public and open spaces if we are to meet children and young people’s outdoor play and recreational needs.
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Marsh
Alcoholism Information
Posted by: Marsh | February 08, 2009 at 12:04 AM