The Forgotten Art of Play: Bringing Joy and Energy Back to Motherhood

Play.

It is something that kids are innately good at. Unfortunately, us mamas tend to put play way down on our priority list. Life gets busy. We get stressed. And in that state, it is really challenging to be playful. Despite play being innately part of us, when we are stressed to the max, our brains don’t have much capacity for play. We are in survival mode instead.

However, play is actually a great antidote to the grumps and can help overwhelmed mothers reduce stress and recover from postpartum fatigue, as I explore in how nature supports maternal wellbeing. Wiggle, jump around and make funny faces with your little ones. I bet you are feeling lighter already. It is also an excellent remedy for a sullen toddler. If you intentionally have some fun or a laugh, it sends a message to your body that you are not in danger. This then allows the body to ditch the stress mode and switch over into a calming state.

Taking care of yourself by prioritizing what brings you joy is essential to your maternal wellbeing. For those of you who want the research, play has plenty of benefits. It allows you a break from the effects of chronic stress.

I could definitely do with enhancing all of these skills! Couldn’t we all? As a mom, you are a leader, whether you like it or not. You might as well be a great one with better memory and the ability to come up with creative ways to deal with your little ones having a sibling dispute.

So often women become moms and suddenly are other people’s support as they go about their lives. Yes, I want to be my little boys’ number one support AND I want to participate in life too. I want to play alongside them. So, others live their lives.

Let’s start considering how to infuse more play into your life by clarifying what brings you joy, creativity and laughter. Consider what the future vibrant you would do to have plenty of play in her life, like I discuss in my tips for intentional motherhood.

Find activities that you enjoy doing just for the sake of the enjoyment that you get from them. Do more of these each day.

If you haven’t played in a while, it might take some time to get back to this energizing state. Let’s start considering how to infuse more play into your life by clarifying what brings you joy. Consider what the future vibrant you would do to have plenty of play in her life.

Joy

What do you love to do?

What would you do if you had a break from responsibilities?

Maybe you love playing tennis, making your own face masks and body scrubs, surfing, going out for a beautiful meal or napping!

Think about what you do now that you really enjoy. If you are finding it challenging to come up with answers, that is totally normal. We can get so stuck in the to-do list, helping our kids and just getting through the day that we almost lose ourselves and literally don’t know what we enjoy anymore. Just contemplating what used to light you up can help your playfulness return.

Consider activities that you used to love before you had kids or even way back when you were a child. What did you love to do? Was it painting, writing in your journal, making up dance routines with friends, hiking or playing soccer?

Now consider what you enjoy doing with your little ones. Some moms I know love sitting down to do puzzles, building Lego or playing instruments with their kids. I like baking, exploring the outdoors and crafts with my kids but not building towers with blocks. If you hate making intricate train tracks, don’t do that. Consider how you could integrate what you like to do into the time you spend with your kids.

It makes all of the other ways you nourish yourself much more fun and life a little lighter.

Play brings it all together to create the health, happiness and vitality of a well-nourished mama.

Joy, creativity and silliness are powerful ways to infuse more play into your day.

So find your joy. Dive into your creativity. And be silly. Infuse more play into your day.

When you do this, this is when the light in you truly starts to radiate out and you completely embody a nourished mama.