THE POWER OF PLAYFULNESS

inspiration

The Power of Playfulness

by Marlaina Donato

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Mirth has been a memory for most of us this past year; something that we need now more than ever. White-knuckle survival and transition can drain neurotransmitters, those chemical messengers vital for strong immunity and good mental health. Taking a vacation from seriousness just might be what the doctor ordered.

As kids, we rarely turned down an opportunity to roll in the grass, laugh ourselves into bellyaches or catch a wave of spontaneous fun. With the advent of adulthood, pouring a drink or going on a shopping spree often becomes a knee-jerk relaxation strategy, leaving the option for nourishing play in the distant past.

Recent research shows what kids and kittens already know: Snippets of playtime are good for the soul and provide benefits like reduced depression, stronger emotional resilience and higher productivity on the job. A study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, in Germany, published last year in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being suggests that even serious, poker-faced humans can train themselves to be more playful.

Postponing levity accomplishes nothing and doesn’t solve today’s problems, yet we may find it almost impossible to grab downtime without guilt gnawing away at our joy. Try making a to-do list that is solely dedicated to pure, inner-childapproved, illogical fun. Some activities to consider penciling into the calendar: n Roll around the floor with the dog or play hide-and-go-seek with the kids. n Host an adult sleepover; stay up late watching a scary movie or one made for a younger audience. n Make ink blots with watercolors or play with air-dry clay or easy-to-make salt dough. n Grab some crayons and adult-designed coloring books. n Blow bubbles in the backyard or during a morning shower. n Go out for low- or sugar-free ice cream or gluten-free pizza. n Fly a kite or find shapes and faces in passing clouds. n Roll in the leaves or down a grassy hill with that special someone. n Bounce a ball during work breaks. n Belt out karaoke songs and delight in being off-key. n Play charades or a favorite childhood game. n Have a staring contest.

Having some fun doesn’t break the bank, and the only requirement is to check selfconsciousness at the door. “Wasting” time is being free, and that is worth its weight in gold.

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer of healing and inspiring music. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Intuitive & Healing Arts

Universal Healing Arts

Universal Healing Arts Offers Metaphysical Items and Services

On a corner of Crestview Avenue, in Cortlandt Manor, is a white building with two red doors and Chinese foo dogs on either side. In the backyard there’s a waterfall with a huge Buddha at the top and koi fish, where one can sit on a bench and dream, write in a journal or just “be.” Inside this unassuming building done with an Asian décor is a shop that houses just about every kind of crystal, in various shapes and sizes. Jewelry, sage, books, CDs, incense, mala beads, cards and crystal angels are some of the other things Universal Healing Arts offers.

Owner Shima Chayvet, a master of Reiki masters who’s been teaching Reiki since 2006, performs Reiki healings and holds a medium circle once a month. Staff members include Cindy Bautista, who does crystal healing; Michelle Lent, a certified massage therapist; Heather Smith, who does facials and laser hair removal; and Alexis Rodriguez, a spiritualist and tarot reader. Karen Shaw teaches yoga classes three times a week, and Sifu Gary Renza is back teaching tai chi.

“On any given day at Universal Healing Arts, there could be a sale going on in the shop, a full moon ceremony, a class or featured speaker, or those just enjoying Tibetan singing bowls under the stars,” Chayvet says. “It is a community of healers who bring benefit to young and old.”

Location: Universal Healing Arts, 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY. For more info, call 914.737.HEAL or visit UniversalHealingArts.com. See ad, page 35.

ASTROLOGY

Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

ENERGY HEALING

Elizabeth Pasquale, CST, NLP Bemer, Cranial, Lymph, NLP At home, office or remotely WellOnTheWay.org; 607.351.7024

ENERGY MEDICINE

Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com

INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING

The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com

INTUITIVE HEALING

White Lotus Grace Intuitive Healing, Readings & Dance Millbrook + Virtual Sanctuary 845.677.3517 whitelotusgrace.com

NATURE & FOREST THERAPY

Nature’s Whispers Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250 MeditativeWalks.com

NEW AGE STORES

Persephone’s Pearl NEW Spiritual Development Center Candles, Books, Tarot, Jewelry Psychics, Crystals, Classes, etc. 1014B Main St., Peekskill @persephonespearlpeekskill 914.737.3460 PersephonesPearl.com The Soul Connection Crystals. Jewelry. Books. More 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL soulconnectionshop.com

To market your business call 845-593-0065

Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com

Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com

QIGONG

In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

REIKI

Anne H. Bentzen, MSOT Jikiden Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner West Harrison, NY 914.588.4079 balancing4life.com

Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

Laura DeToia In person and Long-Distance Reiki 914.645.7704 MerkabaPeace.com

WELLNESS BOUTIQUE

The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com