Reservoir Dinos: Improving mobility through play
Being fit and healthy is not only about challenging yourself with daily chores. It’s about having fun, too, and appreciating that fun has a serious part to play in your health.
This post from years ago highlights the health benefits of taking time to indulge in a little play.
This post is a chance to show you the benefits of taking time out of your busy life to have some fun for its own sake. This is the time to restore yourself and the time that your mind and body take to return your cells to a balanced state and do a little repair work where it is needed.
Play
Christmas and parenting mean I have an excuse to play. Playing with those you love is not only good for your relationship, but it can also have some surprising benefits. We went to see the film Dinosaurs at the cinema a while back, and now we are playing with the book from the film.
It comes with some toy dinosaurs from the film, so I am playing Dinosaurs on the carpet with my son. I enjoy taking pictures in these moments for posterity, and years later, I am so glad I took the time because it’s all we really have of the memories.
Each time we look back at these pictures and the thousands we all now have we get to relive these wonderful times.
Relaxing after a busy day
This is a snapshot of the fun we had today. Lounging around enjoying each other’s company.
We swam in the morning, I cooked in the afternoon, and we watched movies after.
Just now, the little one lined up his new dinosaurs from the good dinosaur.
For me, it was a chance to record some memories, which, of course, means taking pics.
Quality mobility
While we were making these memories, I was also developing and maintaining my mobility whilst I took pictures. Getting on the floor is not something adults do a lot, which means that as the years go by, we can lose the ability to get down onto the floor and back up again.
Even spending time on the floor can get uncomfortable because we are no longer used to it. Our bodies have lost their adaptation to being on the floor.
Playing with my son and taking pictures gets me to stretch and move without realising I’m doing it. Every so often I realise just how many different positions I get into without even thinking about it. Either as part of play or for taking pictures.
Lots of variety
This is why different activities can be so good for your health. Each activity has its own movement profile and places different and varied demands on you. The more varied the demands, the more balanced and healthy your life.
Play, Have lots of fun
The best way to be active is for fun, and this is another great memory.
Almost all creativity involves purposeful play
Abraham Maslow
Learn to ACT
This was an example of using an activity as an opportunity to invest in yourself. For best results, match the activity with a relevant course and teacher. See How it works for more.
