As we grow up, play is often dismissed as childish or unproductive. Society encourages us to "be responsible," prioritizing work, family, and to-do lists over spontaneity and joy.

But play is not just for kids! 

Our nervous systems are wired and desire to engage with others in activities that fill us with excitement and joy and we do not age out of this desire.  

Simply put, play isn’t just fun—it’s a biological necessity.

There is a ripple effect of judgment that goes beyond just the person being judged. The judgments shape our entire social environment, can damage relationships by creating distance or making others feel inadequate, can limit our growth and perspective by keeping us stuck in rigid thinking, and prevent us from learning and evolving.

If you are looking for a new therapist and are curious if combining mindfulness and therapy is a good fit for you, consider the four reasons below on how mindfulness could help you get to where you want to go.

Most people try to intellectually analyze the thoughts hoping to ‘solve’ the circulating thoughts so they will stop. But how would we know if our analysis with a solution is right or wrong if we don’t even know if the thought is accurate to begin with? By putting space between our thoughts and reality, becoming aware of what we are feeling and how the emotion is influencing our thought patterns, we can decrease the discomfort from intrusive thought patterns.

“Wil therapy help me?” is a great question to ask. Consider these tips when you are thinking about starting therapy or finding a new therapist.

Often a traumatic experience from a long time ago can show up in the here-and-now and most people won’t be aware that their response to something in the present moment has roots in something from years ago.