“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

— Plato

Not much is known for certain about Plato, but the impact of his writings cannot be understated. Plato’s dialogues laid the groundwork for much of Western philosophy, influencing such intellectual heavyweights as Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Nietzsche. The Republic is still considered one of the most important philosophical works of all time. Plato’s insight into the human condition is impressive, and the importance of play is no exception. Having fun forces you to drop your guard, release your inhibitions, and let your true self to shine through. So work hard, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way.

Time to relax

• “Working can be great fun. It’s not just about earning a living; work can give us purpose, a reason to put on our shoes and dash off in the morning. We often make life-long friends, achieve goals that boost our confidence, and discover things about ourselves that make us feel proud and like the grown-ups we never quite felt we were. However, we can’t ignore the fact that work is also the reason that many people struggle with stress and mental health problems.” – Ten ways to relax after work without alcohol or food, according to a therapist
• “Marconi Union’s ‘Weightless’ was been dubbed the ‘most relaxing song on Earth’ in light of a study—led by David Lewis-Hodgson, PhD, of Mindlab International—in which participants tried to solve stressful puzzles while music played in the background. The eight-minute song was found to be 11 percent more relaxing than any other track (and there were picks by Adele and Coldplay also in the mix).” – This song is so relaxing, scientists recommend not listening while behind the wheel
• “When we bring in personal objects that we are passionate about to work, it makes our work space less dreary and more inviting for us. The whole idea is to give our mind and body a way to mentally reflect, refresh, and relax. This special spot doesn’t have to take up our whole office or cubicle.” – How to Create a Relaxing Space at Work for Stress Reduction within Minutes
• “In the study, researchers examined the negative effects of feeling socially excluded, and then how a slow, affectionate touch versus a fast, neutral touch can help reduce a person’s emotional pain after being rejected by his or her peers.” – A Soft Touch Can Soothe Hard Feelings of Rejection

Enjoy your weekend 🙂