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Chicago Health Coach Mike Ockrim is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialst (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a Certified Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that will engage you in functional movement training programs, nutrition and cooking education, and sleep improvement plans to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Play More to Increase Longevity

Play and flow are two essential elements that can significantly impact longevity and overall well-being. Steven Kotler, a renowned expert in the field of human performance, has extensively researched these elements and how they contribute to human performance and longevity. In this essay, I will explore the significance of play and flow on longevity and how we can incorporate these elements into our daily lives to live longer and healthier lives.

Play is not just for children but is essential for adults as well. Play is a powerful way to reduce stress, improve mood, enhance creativity, and problem-solving abilities. It can also help us build social connections, which are essential for human longevity (Brown, 2009). Research suggests that individuals who engage in leisure activities, including play, have a lower risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia (Verghese et al., 2003). Moreover, play can enhance physical health, leading to increased longevity. Engaging in physical play activities such as sports or dancing has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of obesity, and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease (Foley et al., 2015).

Flow is another essential element that can contribute to longevity. Flow is a state of optimal experience, where we are fully immersed in an activity, and time seems to stand still. When we are in a state of flow, we perform at our best, achieving a state of effortless action. This state has been associated with increased happiness, life satisfaction, and mental and physical health (Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Studies suggest that individuals who experience flow in their daily lives report higher levels of overall well-being and are less likely to experience depression or anxiety (Jackson & Eklund, 2004).

Incorporating play and flow into our daily lives can significantly impact our longevity and overall well-being. Engaging in physical play activities, such as sports or dancing, can help us maintain physical health, while engaging in mental play activities, such as puzzles or games, can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, finding activities that we enjoy and that put us in a state of flow can increase our overall well-being, leading to greater longevity.

In conclusion, play and flow are two essential elements that can significantly impact longevity and overall well-being. By incorporating these elements into our daily lives, we can live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

REFERENCES

Brown, S. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Penguin.

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Happiness, flow, and economic equality. American Psychologist, 55(10), 1163-1164.

Foley, L., Maddison, R., & Olds, T. (2015). Evidence review on the potential health benefits of dancing. Sydney, NSW: University of Sydney.

Jackson, S. A., & Eklund, R. C. (2004). The flow scale manual. Mental training systems.

Verghese, J., Lipton, R. B., Katz, M. J., Hall, C. B., Derby, C. A., Kuslansky, G., ... & Buschke, H. (2003). Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. New England Journal of Medicine, 348(25), 2508-2516.