Reclaiming Your Joy for Movement: How to Rediscover Physical Play at Any Age

Rediscover the joy of movement and physical play at any age. Learn how we lose touch with our natural capability and how to reconnect with it for a more active, fulfilling life.
Aug 16 / Erinn Rist

Every day, my eight-year-old reminds me of the incredible human potential we all possess—no textbook or professional training could ever teach me the lessons she does. Watching her snowboard, swim, run, climb, and leap with barely any hesitation, I see the purest form of human capability. Just the other day, she bravely jumped over ten feet off the roof of a catamaran into Lake Erie, her face glowing with the thrill of the moment. It was a vivid reminder that we all start life with an innate enthusiasm for movement and boundless raw athleticism.

Children have a magical way of fully inhabiting their bodies. They move with ease, displaying a full range of motion that many adults can only dream of. They don’t tire quickly or shy away from physical challenges; instead, they revel in the joy of pushing their limits. Whether it’s mastering a new skill or simply running for the sheer fun of it, kids love to move, explore, and learn through their bodies. It's in these moments, I see the blueprint for how we are meant to interact with our world—not just as children, but throughout our entire lives.

But as we grow older, something shifts. That unbridled energy fades, replaced by caution, responsibilities, routine, and a gradual detachment from the physical world. Yes, biology plays a role—our bodies do change with age—but that's only part of the story. The other part is that we stop challenging ourselves. We forget that from birth, we were equipped with everything we need to be powerful, capable beings our entire lives. Physical activity and play are not just childhood phases; they are blueprints for how we are meant to interact with our world throughout all seasons of life.

Where Did We Lose The Path?

As we age, the demands of life—work, family, and social obligations—begin to overshadow the time we once dedicated to play and joyful physical activity. Fitness shifts from something we enjoy to something we feel we 'should do,' clouded by misconceptions that it's too late to start or that we're too busy. This gradual shift often leads to a loss of the vitality we once had, leaving us stiffer, less energetic, and weaker. Responsibilities weigh us down, and the inner voice that says fitness is a chore rather than an essential part of well-being causes us to forget the joy of movement. This slow decline into inactivity often goes unnoticed until it feels too late to reverse.

Research supports this idea, showing that adults who maintain a regular physical activity regimen are more likely to preserve their mobility and cognitive function as they age. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that even moderate physical activity in older adults led to a 28% reduction in the incidence of major mobility disability (Pahor et al., 2014). This suggests that the loss of physical capability isn’t just a product of aging—it’s often a consequence of our choices.

How to Reclaim Ourselves

This past week, my team and I tackled a high ropes course for a team-building day. Before the day arrived, many of us, myself included, lamented that we had to go. However, it was amazing to see the change in attitude in almost everyone after getting up into the trees. The laughter, the thrill of challenge, and the rediscovery of the joy of movement were incredible. I had forgotten how much I loved high ropes courses from my days as an instructor in college. It was a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim our capability to have fun through movement.

The good news is, you can start today, no matter where you are physically. Take that first step now—whether it’s trying a new activity, pushing a bit harder in your workouts, or simply playing more with your kids—make joyful movement a non-negotiable part of your life. Reconnect with play, because it’s not just for children. Engaging in fun, physically challenging activities like joining a pickleball team, hiking, backyard badminton, or taking dance classes can help rekindle your joy for movement. Choose something that is fun for YOU. Believe in your ability to improve and surround yourself with support. Kids are often delighted to be your cheerleaders in fun activities you can do together.

I challenge you to do something this week that excites or scares you a little, but more importantly, makes you feel alive. Whether it’s signing up for a circus class with friends, joining a pickleball league, trying out rock climbing for a date night activity, or simply playing flashlight tag with your kids—embrace it fully. Rediscover the capability and the simple joy of movement that lies within you.

We are born with the tools to be capable at any stage of life. Movement and play aren’t just childhood phases; they are how we are meant to live. Reconnect with that potential—because you are capable as long as you believe you are.


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