Let’s Play the Stress Away: Combating Burnout with Joy and Fun

We need more play in our lives for greater well-being

Did you know that the secret weapon against stress and burnout might be your inner child?

Yes, I’m talking about that delightful, curious little kid who used to run around chasing butterflies or spend hours building castles in the sand.

The answer to some of our adult-sized problems might just be a generous dose of play.

We’ve all felt it, that overwhelming feeling of being burnt out. It’s the mental and emotional exhaustion that comes from long-term stress. But what if the antidote to burnout isn’t just more sleep or an expensive vacation, but something far more straightforward (and fun)!

What if the solution is as straightforward as embracing the concept of play?

I’ve experienced the negative consequences of too much work and too little play. 50-hour work weeks without play turned into burnout and panic attacks for me.

How play eases stress

Play isn’t just for kids. It’s an essential part of our well-being throughout our entire lives. Play triggers the release of endorphins, our body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and these endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being.

When we do things that are fun and enjoyable, we lose ourselves in the moment, aka ‘flow.’ This flow state is the ultimate recharge that can put us in a positive mindset and reduce stress. And this state of positive mindset and less stress can help reduce the chance of going into burnout mode.

It doesn’t have to be a week of play, aka vacation. It can be as simple as scheduling 15 minutes of play each day. I dare you to try this for a few days in a row and see how you feel.

The beautiful part is that the definition of play is as individual as you are

For some people, play could be playing a sport with friends, painting, or a high-energy dance class. It’s up to you!

Personally, I have a bucket list that I am always adding to. I love novel things, so I am always adding new nature trails, coffee shops, and overall ‘fun’ ideas. This is my kind of play.

Sometimes play for me might be grabbing an iced matcha latte and hitting a trail for 15 minutes (the other day I skipped like a kid on the trail). Or grabbing my camera and going on a nature photo expedition for an hour. On work days I take joy breaks. I will read a book or tend to my garden for 10 minutes. I always choose something that I enjoy.

The secret is to find what lights your heart up and makes you feel alive. That’s your version of play. Do more of that!

A potential roadblock to adding play to your day

What if you feel like you don’t have time for fun and play because of all your current responsibilities?

The reality is, play doesn’t need to be another task on your to-do list. It is a positive addition to your day and can help to give you more energy to tackle the potentially stressful activities you have on your plate. In fact, it might just make those activities you have to do more enjoyable and less stressful.

I’ll give you an example from my life.

My day job is super demanding. On the days that I don’t take my ‘joy’ breaks and do something that I enjoy for 5–10 minutes, I end the day with tense shoulders and an overall feeling of being down.

I have experienced the profound benefits of adding fun and play into my day no matter if it is during the workweek or on the weekend.

Think about when you were a kid or the times in your adult life when you had fun doing certain activities. Start jotting down some ideas that light you up just thinking about them. Create your own ‘play’ bucket list.

When we can find a balance between ‘work and play’, ‘stress and relaxation’, and ‘serious and fun’, we can start to create a life that feels more fulfilling and less overwhelming.

Give yourself permission to play. It’s a vital part of your health and well-being.

As an integrative nutrition health and fitness coach, I often say that you are what you eat. But maybe it’s just as true to say you are how you play!

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