This Christmas learn to juggle. I’m not talking about working “smart” or about the energy sapping lifestyle juggling of work, shopping, children etc that can bring us all to our knees. I am talking about REAL juggling. The fun stuff.
Whether you are on your own or with family and friends juggling is a fun but very worthwhile skill to learn and what’s more it has been proven to alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. I learnt to juggle almost twenty years ago now and it never fails to amuse me and my friends on occasions, and like riding a bike, once mastered you never forget how to juggle.
Before you discount this as being rather frivolous and not suitable for you “because I am so uncoordinated”, believe me I have never come across a person who hasn’t mastered the basic three-ball cascade with a bit of determination and perseverance. I do admit that it can be frustrating whilst learning, but it’s a fun frustration and a great way of immersing yourself in learning a new skill giving your mind some well-deserved time out. It can even be hilarious at times and there is nothing like a good laugh to make you feel better. So, what are the benefits?
Juggling is a fun way to improve your mental, emotional and physical health. It works to balance both left and right hemispheres of the brain to improve motor-skill functions, reading, writing, creativity, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-motivation, concentration and multi-tasking. It can help combat and prevent the development of depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, and a host of other mental and emotional diseases.
You will learn how to break big problems into smaller ones and use smaller steps to reach your ultimate goal. This is particularly useful when coping with depression and anxiety as you tend to get overwhelmed by the “bigger picture”.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the “winter blues” effects many people when they find themselves stuck inside over the winter months. No more so than this year with all the snow and ice we have had and more on the way. Juggling is a fantastic way to keep occupied whilst indoors or when on your own.
So what are you waiting for? Go and get yourself some beanbags, juggling balls or even oranges and have a go. You’ll be hooked within minutes!
Have fun!
Poppyposts 