So how do you reclaim joy and play as a practice of self-nurturing?
66 www. AspireMAG. net | June / July 2026
I have found laughter and humor to be a beautiful example of this. If you wonder whether this is true for you, reflect on the last time you laughed deeply. Can you feel the playful, joyful energy of that experience? You might even be smiling right now thinking about it. Laughter is powerful medicine and there are many reasons for this connected to the benefits of play.
Among the benefits, play helps relieve stress, improves brain function, boosts creativity, improves relationships and connections to others, teaches cooperation, boosts energy and vitality, strengthens immune systems, and even has been found to lead to longer life.
There is research showing that play is essential for emotional well-being, adaptability, and creativity and according to Diane Ackerman,“ Play is our brain’ s favorite way of learning.”
So how do you reclaim joy and play as a practice of self-nurturing?
First of all, you probably need to unlearn messages about play that stop you from being playful including: play is not productive; people will think I am silly if I am playful; I am too busy for play; I have forgotten how to play; play is for children.
66 www. AspireMAG. net | June / July 2026