Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
When you’re managing chronic illness, the concept of play can feel almost foreign. Most of my mental energy for years went into managing symptoms, researching protocols, and navigating the medical system. The idea of doing something just for the joy of it felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford.
What I’ve learned is that it’s actually one I can’t afford to skip.
Play doesn’t have to mean recreation in the conventional sense. For me it means light-hearted, low-pressure engagement with life — things that restore rather than deplete. Morning Bible time approached with genuine curiosity rather than obligation. Working through a weights and resistance bands session with a small, specific goal in mind and no pressure to hit a number. A walk outside timed around sun exposure, with no destination and no agenda other than moving and paying attention to what’s around me. Experimenting in the kitchen with a new healing recipe. Rearranging or refreshing something in my home environment just because I wanted to.
None of these are frivolous. They’re actually physiologically important. Play reduces cortisol. It triggers dopamine release, which supports both mood and motivation. It prevents the kind of burnout that chronic illness management creates if you treat every waking hour as a clinical intervention. There’s solid research behind the connection between play, stress reduction, immune function, and sleep quality — and more practically, I’ve seen it firsthand over years of trial and error.
Faith anchors this for me. The Bible isn’t just a resource I study — it’s where I reconnect. When I bring genuine openness to it rather than habit, it’s one of the most renewing parts of my day. That quality of engagement — curious, present, unhurried — is what I try to bring to everything I call playtime. It’s less about the activity and more about the posture.
If you’re deep in a healing journey and the idea of play feels distant, start small. What’s one thing you used to do that had no purpose beyond enjoyment? What made you lose track of time? That’s the direction. Healing benefits from it more than most people realize.
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Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, including medications, diet, exercise, or supplementation. David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. Views expressed are personal and based on lived experience — they do not guarantee specific outcomes. David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com.