When everything is all work and no play nothing ever gets accomplished. Play is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Play is responsible for how we learn new things, reset our minds to prevent fatigue, and happily stay fit. Without play, our minds and bodies will have negative consequences.

Throughout our lives we use play to stay physically fit. From hiking forest trails, kayaking along the water ways, playing sports, or going on bike rides. It’s called play because these things are enjoyable to us and because they are enjoyable to us, we are encouraged to do them and in return we stay physically fit and ready to handle challenging tasks.

Doing these things also greatly benefits our emotional well-being. Exercise that we enjoy is essential for creating happiness. Studies have been done showing a direct link between mental health, emotional well-being and exercise. When we don’t play or exercise, we subject ourselves to depression, anxiety, or worse.

As we get older, play and exercise is still important for us to maintain a healthy life balance. Studies show a higher rate of productivity in the workplace when the employees have a healthy balanced lifestyle. They work harder and more efficiently due to being healthier.

I often find myself accomplishing more when I get out of the house to go hiking, kayaking, or biking. This play increases my energy levels and emotional well-being.