The entrance to our neighborhood.
In spite of my solar craziness that I wrote about HERE, I had some fun last week.
A friend who does the neighborhood newsletter with me, invited me to go to the driving range. I got a new five wood for my birthday and was anxious to try it out. It was a warmish day with blue skies and a slight breeze.
This is our second trip to a driving range in two weeks. The first time, I was so nervous I could barely hit the ball. I’m not sure why? Maybe it’s because it’s been since my knee surgery that I’ve golfed and I doubted I still could. I wrote about my golf adventures growing up HERE including racing golf carts in the woods.
I calmed down on my second trip. I hit some good shots and that’s what brings golfers back to play. I was smiling the rest of the day. We’re going to play a round of golf in the near future.
Saturday, we played pickleball on the tennis court which is two blocks from our house. We had to measure and lay down vinyl lines to make the tennis court pickleball-sized. Our neighbors had never played before, but they learned from Youtube videos and picked it up quickly.
My husband and I have only played a few times, but we had fun hitting and chasing after balls. We’ll try to get out a few times a week. It is fun to play.
I guess that’s why I had fun this week. I played! Playing is joyful.
I found an article about the benefits of adult playtime. Here’s an excerpt:
Play helps:
Relieve stress. Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Improve brain function. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.
Stimulate the mind and boost creativity. Young children often learn best when they are playing—a principle that applies to adults, as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and solve problems.
Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. Play doesn’t have to include a specific activity; it can also be a state of mind. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.
Keep you feeling young and energetic. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Play can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease, helping you function at your best.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
What are your thoughts about playing? What do you enjoy playing that makes you happy?
I think play is necessary to a healthy mind, body and spirit. It doesn’t have to be competitive…just have fun
That’s it! Getting out and playing helped my attitude so much. None of it was competitive. I hit a bucket of balls on the driving range. We played pickleball without keeping score.
I think it’s wonderful that you’re socializing and playing games at the same time.
I realize it’s been years! We went through COVID and two years before that, I tore my ACL and Meniscus. My husband and I did play a lot of ping pong the last two years but with our stormy weather we have our outdoor ping pong table put away.
Yes, last few years have changed many of our habits and routines.
Love it – golf and pickleball. Plus the notes about why play is important – thank you for the beautiful reminder!!
My husband and I have a blast playing ping pong, but with our nasty weather we have it put away. I was missing the fun of playing in my life.
Because of my health, golf is a struggle anymore. Too bad. I used to have a 2 handicap back in the 1980 – 1995 time frame. In 1992 I even ran the Honolulu Marathon (full marathon) in sub 3 hours. Cannot do that anymore either. All during my Army years. What do I play now? Easy: Gardening/Landscaping.
That’s amazing! A 2 handicap and marathon in under 3 hours! Gardening and landscaping is a great thing to do. You’re outside, moving and making your home look beautiful.
The Army demands top physical fitness, so running, running ALOT and far, was a daily occurrence. The Marathon was actually pretty easy. Now golf, that is something that takes serious due diligence, and in Hawaii my backdoor opened up to the 9th fairway, so when not deployed, I golfed everyday.
Wow. That sounds great! Not the running part but your backdoor on the 9th fairway.
Your post reminded me of my conundrum. I’m trying to get back to running and working out in the gym. My problem: I hate the gym, but I love games. I love actual playing. I love the competition of a game. I haven’t taken up pickle ball, but I hear that once you start playing, you’re hooked. Ha, ha.
I totally agree. Going to the gym isn’t fun. We’ve successfully avoided it for three weeks now 😅 You might want to try pickleball. It’s fun and the people seem very welcoming and open to new people getting started.
For inspiration, I look at the picture of the Honolulu Marathon I had framed for my husband last Christmas-while I am doing my 30 minutes of physical therapy for my right hip. It hurts but it is inspirational. I am not a golf player but hoping to return to swimming and walking more. Right now, a walk of a mile every other day is a win as my right hip is painful.
I’m sorry about your hip! I hope your PT works. Yes, that Honolulu Marathon would be inspiring. I want to get back to swimming, but I just can’t get myself in and out of the pool in our cold weather!
Thank you! I hope we can visit Hawaii together (Mike and I). My hip might be like your knee and eventually need surgery. The VA is evaluating it now. We shall see.
I delayed my surgery (post ski accident) for five months to experience my daughter’s senior events in college. Last dual swim meet, PAC 12s, banquet, graduation, etc. The doctor had me do PT to get stronger prior to surgery for at least three months. If I would have had surgery at that point, I couldn’t have traveled to my daughter’s milestones.
Good for you! I am still working online part time but have taken a leave of absence until the end of the year-began about 2 weeks ago. Partly because of my hip and the needed cane and partly because of a lack of support from Admin and a new principal, mostly this. Now if I have the option of returning in the fall to a new school. We shall see. Just focusing on feeling better.
My SIL had two hip replacements and recovered well, but it took awhile. I hope PT keeps helps so you don’t have surgery. You’ve reminded me to write about my kids’ high school administration. After years of a principal who respected teachers and let them do their jobs, we got one from another high school in the district. His goal was equity. My kids are three years apart and my son had principal number one for all four years. How things changed for my daughter’s years.
It is good also to be home as Mike has some surgeries this month and I can finishing editing my book as the publisher sends me the line edits! I wanted to continue working 2 more years but maybe I will just stay with the online. We shall see. I love walking, so I continue to walk with the pug and can walk a mile with a little limping. There is a slight disparity in the length of my feet and I am a big walker, so maybe all those years…who knows but I doing my due diligence. I will have the option of returning to the pool and a different school. When it comes to discipline, you need to know the admin will have your back. Wishing you all the best.
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Hey, Elizabeth! All of that sounds like fun! I’m terrible at tennis, pickle ball but I’m a great cheerleader – and enjoying being included even if I’m just observing. I love yoga and Pilates so if those count as ‘play’, I’m covered! 😊😉😊
The publishers name is Barringer Publishing and they are excellent to work with!
Thanks for sharing your info. I’m so excited for you.
Wordle and Spelling Bee in the morning. Love a day of skiing or mountain biking. Engaging in play with the dogs.
I do Wordle in the morning, too. Good for you for being so active with skiing and mountain biking. Playing with pets is the best!
Yay on having fun! Yes, playing is important! I want to try pickle ball sometime.
I am going to the Y to play tomorrow instead of a zoom call I usually have. A little fun keeps me balanced and happy.
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