Summer Days: The Kids Play - Embracing Your Inner Child

Is it just me, or is there truly no season like summer?

It’s the perfect time to remember the simple joys of childhood: no school, playing outside, hearing the ice cream truck music from blocks away, and having no cares in the world.

Then, just like that, adulthood hits: work, responsibilities, endless to-do lists. But here’s the thing: everyone deserves moments of carefree fun. And what if I told you that being "childlike" isn’t just for kids—it could actually be good for your mental health?

Today, let’s discuss the power of embracing your inner child. As adults, we often bear the weight of expectations, deadlines, and all the “adulting” that life demands. So, this summer, I invite you to release the burdens and reconnect with that playful energy once again.

Before We Dive In…

Here’s a fun secret: Engaging in activities that kids enjoy isn’t just a way to “escape” adulthood; it’s beneficial for your mental health. When you allow yourself to play, you stop taking yourself so seriously and give your brain permission to wander, create, and yes, play! I believe that’s a gift every adult deserves. Here are a few interesting benefits of being childlike:

• Stress reduction Play and creativity help lower the stress hormone cortisol. It also helps release tension.

  
  

• Boosts mood Doing something fun, with no end goal in mind, activates the brain’s reward systems.
  

• Improved creativity and problem-solving Embracing playful activities rewires the brain to be more open to new ideas and solutions.

  
  

• Stronger connections Whether you’re playing with friends, family, or just by yourself, engaging in fun activities helps build better emotional connections and strengthens relationships.

5 Fun Ways to Embrace Your Inner Child This Summer

As a professional, I often encourage kids to engage in creative, playful activities to help them manage their emotions, express themselves, and cope with stress. These same activities can work wonders for adults, too! Here are five ways to bring out your inner child this summer:

1. Coloring Books and Sketches Grab a coloring book or a sketch pad and allow yourself to create. This is a fantastic way to relieve stress while engaging your mind in a relaxing, creative activity.

   
   

2. Who Doesn’t Love a Good Dance? Play your favorite playlist and just dance. Movement releases endorphins, which can improve your mood.

   
   

3. Explore the Outdoors Remember when you were a kid and exploring the world with family and friends was so much fun? Reignite that curiosity. Take a walk in a park, discover a new spot in your city, or simply lie on the ground and watch the clouds pass by.

   
   

4. Make Time to Play How do you think it would feel to set aside time to just be? Play a board game, dive into a DIY craft project, or visit a local museum. Reignite the joy of having fun for fun’s sake.

   
   

5. Use Your Imagination Imagine yourself as a child again. What would you do for fun? Imagination is one of the most powerful tools for relieving stress. It allows you to step outside of your “adult” mindset and tap into a more relaxed and creative state of mind.

   
   

For the rest of the summer, I encourage you to participate in the fun and reconnect with your inner child. Release the pressures of adulthood for a while and simply enjoy life. Whether you color, dance, or reignite your curiosity, allow yourself to appreciate the simple things.

So, let’s use this summer to reconnect with those playful, beautiful qualities.

As always, I’m so proud of you for making your mental health a priority. Keep showing up for yourself, and remember that being childlike shouldn’t just benefit kids; it should benefit all of us.

With love,

Shekinah

The Purposed Therapist