 The
Arend clan is steeped in rich holiday traditions. We deck the halls together
at Christmas, we sing the first stanza of “We Gather Together”
before every Thanksgiving dinner, and at Easter—with everyone well
over the age of five—we still paint Easter eggs.
I’ve personally confronted raised
eyebrows and sidelong glances when I tell people we still paint eggs.
No, we do not hide them anymore; no, my
father no longer writes cryptic clues on Post-It notes that reveal the
location of overstuffed Easter baskets; no, we no longer receive overstuffed
Easter baskets (nor should we). But we still paint eggs, faithfully, every
Easter. And if you’re an adult person wondering why that is, well,
then I guess you are unfamiliar with the enormous benefits of “play.”
When we are children, proper playtime is
essential. It aids in learning, communication, social skills, and offers
a slew of other benefits. Unfortunately, in our culture, playtime is abandoned
once we become adults, sloughed off as unnecessary, unproductive, and
a waste of time. But nothing could be further from the truth. When we
were young, we doodled on anything we could get our hands on (sorry, Mom,
for writing on the walls), but new research has found that adult doodling
aids in memory retention, supports problem solving, and actively works
the brain.
Play engages the creative mind, helps to
foster a communal space with others (if your play involves other people),
and is one of the best stress busters you can employ. It boosts the immune
system, promotes a sense of belonging, and sparks the imagination. The
National Institute for Play (yes, it exists) states that play is “the
gateway to vitality.”
So the question is: why aren’t you
playing more? It’s not just fun; it’s also good for you. And
best of all, if the egg you paint doesn’t turn out the way you wanted
it, there’s always tomorrow’s egg salad sandwich.
Flossie Arend
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