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"Play time" is a term typically only kids and parents use. And you're probably thinking this is some weird post about giving your kids plenty of play time (even though I don't have kids)... but nope! This post is directed at everyone!  This last spring semester, I had an amazing professor named James Thurman (if you end up at UNT I 100% recommend taking one of his classes). He taught Design ll, but his lectures went beyond the subject of art. My favorite lecture he ever gave was about the importance of play time. I don't have any direct quotes from the lecture, but what he generally said stuck with me. As college students (or high school students, working adults, or even parents) we constantly stay busy. Between classes, a part time job, a social life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a spiritual life, and maintaining friendships and a relationship, my life never seems to stop or slow down. Even watching my tv shows is a battle! I watch while I clean or work on a project, I never ever sit down to relax until it's bedtime (and by then I just want sleep). So when my professor was talking about play time, my mind was going "Pshh, good one! You don't have time for that!" And that's right. My to-do list seems to be never-ending. But it is completely unhealthy to never take time for fun, or "play time." So, how do we fit that play time into our busy schedules?  Think about things you like to do that don't take much thought or effort. Things that you don't get to do often. Some of mine are looking up recipes on Pinterest (follow my Pinterest recipe board here), reading, watching YouTube videos, coloring in my adult coloring books, cooking a fun meal/baking, sewing clothes for myself, sitting down and talking with my roomies, and about 100 more things. I don't do these things enough. Taking time for "play" is doing those things that you love that you typically don't have time for. I know it seems like you just don't have time, and you're probably right. But it's about making time. This is so incredibly hard to do when you have responsibilities and deadlines. Taking time for play is not going to keep you from your duties. It's just giving you a much needed break from them. How to do it? It's simple. All you have to do is set a timer for 30 minutes and do. yo. thang. You don't have to ask me twice!  Although 30 minutes seems like a long time, the play time makes up for it. By taking a mental/physical break from your to-do list, you're giving yourself time to recuperate and collect yourself. I always find myself being significantly more productive after play time. Taking these breaks benefit you more than you know. Keep the child within you, no matter how deep down, thriving by giving that part of you play time. You'll be happier, more productive, and it gives you something to look forward to every single day. How will you spend your play time? Leave me a comment below.
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