When each and every one of us were born, we had a few very important jobs in which we never thought about. The first was to eat when we were hungry. The second was to sleep when we were tired. The third was to play.
Most of us as we have grown up have continued with the first two jobs of being a child in eating and sleeping. The most important part and the most fun part, playing, has all been forgotten in many. If you think of what a child does when playing we think of running, playing on the jungle gym, playing in sand, etc. While lives become more complicated as we grow, we tend to forget about running and playing.
Opportunities lie all around us to play. In the gym, there are cool machines and weights in which kids would have a blast on. Why not us? We can walk out the front door and run for no good reason. We can play a sport as there are leagues all around us. There are basketball hoops virtually on every corner. We can get a ball of any sorts and throw it to someone or against a wall. Playing does not have to stop when we grow up.
It is essential to play each day in some way for optimal health. By doing so it increases endorphins which are our "feel good" hormones. Our joints become more lubricated, our bone density increases, our muscles become more conditioned as well as our heart, ur blood's oxygen supply increases, all because we get to play.
It has been shown that those who exercise regularly get sick less, are happier, bounce back from injuries quicker, and live fuller lives.