Add fun to your life

The health benefits gleaned from revisiting favorite childhood pastimes are well-documented. Whether it helps keep weight down or relieves stress, acting like a child can be good for you. Let go of the worries that come with being an adult and embrace your inner child.

Get your crayons out!
Tap into your inner Monet! Coloring books for adults have become a trend as people look for ways to deal with everyday pressures. Experts say that coloring helps to ease our minds by having us focus on the task at hand, thus blocking out distracting thoughts. Coloring also helps remind us of the carefree days of our childhood.

Express yourself
You might have penned your last diary entry back in your teenage days, but it turns out that writing about your emotions can offer some serious benefits for adults. A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that writing about worries or emotional events can lead to improvements in physical and mental health, memory, and sleep. To reap the benefits, try to journal for 15 to 20 minutes several times a week. Don’t focus on grammar, punctuation, or spelling; simply write about your feelings without censoring your thoughts.

Play a board game
Recent research in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that playing board games can help reduce the risk of dementia. Board games are also a great way to bring family or friends together in a relaxed and fun setting.

Hula Hoop
Step aside, Zumba! The humble hula hoop from childhood has returned. Besides being a fun, low-impact way to work out, hula-hooping can also help improve your coordination, burn calories, and strengthen core muscles. 

Paws for Health
A pet can be more than a fun, loyal companion. Dog walkers tend to have lower blood pressure and lower weight because of regular exercise. Cats, birds, rabbits, and other critters provide health perks, too. You don’t have to own a pet to benefit. Volunteer at a shelter, or help care for a neighbor’s pet. Read more at getgoodliving.com/update.