There's Always Time to Be Young at Heart

Remember how fun it was to spend the whole day just playing? No schedule, no to-do lists, and it didn't even matter how you looked, dressed, or wore your hair. When you were a kid, you always took time to do exactly what you wanted to do — you were active, you were outdoors, and, most importantly, you had fun! Now that you're one of the grown-ups, couldn't you use a little recess?

This weekend, give yourself permission to play! Take one day out of your week and spend it doing something completely unproductive and fantastically fun — involve your kids if you need a little youthful inspiration, or invite your partner along for a play date. Head to the park for a whole day of getting down and dirty playing softball, kickball, Frisbee — whatever you like! Just being out in the sun will perk up your mood and make you feel like a kid again.

Weather not cooperating? Move the party inside — bake cookies and watch your favorite silly movies all day long, challenge your sweetie to a game of Scrabble, checkers, or Monopoly, or sex up your rain date with a little provocative hide-and-seek (who knows what you'll be wearing — or not wearing — when he finds you!).

You can also make your foreplay a little more playful. Have a naked pillow fight or play Twister in your lingerie. Up the stakes by betting sexual favors. The loser has to pleasure the winner with the sexual act of his or her choice. Or, break out the cards and play a little strip poker.

Let your imagination run wild as you think of ways to make your favorite games a little dirty, or turn your favorite childhood activities into adult enjoyments. Go to a theme park and ride the scariest rides, or run through the sprinklers when the weather is sultry and hot. If weather doesn’t permit, have some fun inside by putting on your swimsuits and having an indoor beach day. Make margaritas and cook some summer fare like hot dogs or burgers. Play some summery island-themed music, and crank up the heat so that the house is warm as a summer’s day.

You can also increase your winter playtime by taking advantage of the snow. Get into a snow fight, build a snowman, or make snow angels. Hit the slopes and go sledding or skiing, and then come home and warm up together with a grown up hot chocolate (just add a shot of Kahlua or Bailey’s and some whipped cream!).

The point is to let go of your grown-up responsibilities for a few hours and remember what it felt like to be completely carefree. Like the song says, if you are among the very young at heart, you'll find you get a lot more joy out of life and love. So get out and play!