FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE®: PLAY IS POWERFUL

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Play is a powerful wellness tool for women in midlife and beyond! 

This is the first in a series of five episodes that help you foster 'good summer' vibes. Inside, I share 3 benefits of play, plus a few ideas for how you can bring more play into your life. 

Pair this episode with my July 2nd email to notice, nurture, and practice your playfulness this week!

When you’re done listening, visit the National Institute for Play’s website to determine your play personality with this short quiz. If it feels right, share your results with me at [e-mail]. I’m an Explorer!

xo Karli

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💻 Explore ELEVATE, my membership for women in midlife and beyond, and get your first month for $10: https://www.flipsideofmidlife.com/elevate-membership

📧 Join my free email list at https://karli-newman.myflodesk.com/podcast-link-2025

🌐 Visit my website flipsideofmidlife.com 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker (00:00):
It never fails.
When July pops up on thecalendar, I find myself
reminiscing about the carefreesummers of my youth.
Days filled with play andadventure, evenings I didn't
want to end, and plenty offamily and friend time.
It was so easy to wake up anddo it all again the next day! My
nostalgia comes from how I feltduring those summer months, and

(00:23):
I'm guessing you experiencesome of that, too.
While we can't go back in time,we can foster those summer
vibes here in midlife andbeyond.
Welcome to FLIPSIDE OFMIDLIFE®.
I'm Karli Newman, your favoriteGenX dealer of positive vibes,

(00:46):
community builder, and life andwellness coach for women in
midlife and beyond.
Thanks for joining me here.
This is the first in a seriesof five short episodes that pair
with my Wednesday emails inJuly, 2025.
Read and listen to boost yourbenefits.
If you aren't part of my emailcommunity, the link to join is
in the show notes andtranscript.

(01:07):
I hope to see you there! Thisepisode is about playfulness.
It's something we tend toassociate with children, and
yes, they do enter a play statemore readily than adults, but it
is incredibly beneficial foradults, too.
It's a human need that doesn'tevaporate once we hit the age of
18.
It can and does get diluted,however.

(01:29):
Our cultural tendency toprioritize productivity over
rest means more work and farless play.
The National Institute for Playwants you to know that play is
the healthiest way to spend yourtime, after feeding and housing
yourself.
If that doesn't inspire you toget back in touch with your
playful side, maybe these threebenefits of play will: Number

(01:51):
one, play relieves stress.
Play can trigger the release ofendorphins, which are our
natural feel-good chemicals.
And play often leads tolaughter, which has been linked
to decreased stress andinflammation and may improve
vascular health.
Number two, play improves brainfunction.
Play can involve learning andchallenge the brain.

(02:13):
Think about a game of chess ora crossword puzzle, for example.
This type of play may helpprevent memory problems and can
improve thinking skills.
And the third benefit, playimproves social well-being.
When you laugh and have funwith others, it can foster
empathy, compassion, trust, andintimacy.
A playful nature can help youloosen up in stressful

(02:35):
situations, break the ice withstrangers, and make new friends.
And who doesn't want that?
Playing is a way to connectwith others.
If you're unsure how to bringmore play into your life, here
are some ideas for you.
First, visit the website forthe National Institute for Play
and take the quiz to determineyour play personality.

(02:56):
I included those links in theshow notes and transcript for
you.
You can also think about howyou loved to play as a child.
You may find inspiration there.
Another way is to immerse inthe experience of a hobby.
Get lost in the process ratherthan the end result.
You can also get social whenyou play.
Invite others to join you orlook for group opportunities for

(03:20):
play.
And the last suggestion I havefor you is to go to a playful
place.
Use your play personality toguide you you learned that by
taking that quiz.
Collectors may head to a tradeshow, explorers may seek out a
new place to go, andstorytellers may sign up for a
writing class or get lost in thepages of a book.

(03:40):
Now that you know the benefitsof play and you have a few ideas
of how to add more play intoyour life, I encourage you to
get out there this week, in thenext seven days, and tap into
your sense of play.
Play is a powerful wellnesstool, my friend.
The more you practice, theeasier it will be to feel into

(04:02):
its power.
If you're looking for a deeperunderstanding of yourself in
midlife and beyond, I invite youto join ELEVATE, my monthly
membership.
Inside, you'll find content andcommunity to help you feel
supported, shed the limitingbeliefs and behaviors that no
longer serve you and gainconfidence to be your authentic
self.

(04:22):
It's a blend of self-pacedtools, community connection, and
gentle guidance from me.
There are so many good thingsinside.
Learn more about ELEVATE andbecome part of the community at
the link in the show notes andtranscript.
What are your thoughts aboutthis episode, my friend?
I'd love to know.
Share them with me [e-mail].

(04:45):
While you're at it, let me knowwhat your play personality is.
I'm an explorer! Thanks againfor joining me today.
I'll be back next Wednesdaywith another episode of FLIPSIDE
OF MIDLIFE®.
In the meantime, release yourplayful spirit and have fun.