Have you resisted the playful side of you for … well, a damn, long time? It seems like being playful doesn’t really fit in with being a responsible grown up, does it? Yeah, yeah, I hear your inner grown up shouting: “NO, it does not!” All while sitting on your poor inner child who just wants to have some fun. Mean bastard. (Inner grown up, that is.)

How about if I tell you that play will increase your chances of being well? Can you then get on board with seeing play as useful? Which, darn it, seems to somehow diminish the whole concept. But, if you needs a reason, there ya go.

Playfulness is a huge dose of health in a bottle of fun. It makes you smile. You know you’re enjoying life. It’s silly; it’s goofy; it’s lighthearted; it makes you feel like a kid again. It makes you … healthy. And energetic — that elusive thing we try to get out of a bottle.

That’s why play is one of the nine pathways to wellness. Whole life wellness can’t be complete without it. Plus, play filters into the other pathways as well. Play, and you lower stress. Play, and you might be incorporating movement. Play, and you’re often making more time for connections — or forging new ones. Play simplifies. Play lightens up your mindset. Play is natural care for your body, mind and spirit. Really, I think play even factors into spirituality.

Unfortunately, we grown ups seem to need to be reminded that play is good for our well being. Encouraged that it’s okay. (Really, it is.) Given permission to not be so buttoned up.

So, that’s what I’m doing: Giving you permission and reason to play. I know it’s hard to let go and be child-like again. But do it … for your health. Really, isn’t that just about the best thing? Goof off and enjoy better health — amazing. Wellness can’t get much cooler than that.