Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Opinions

I can't tell you how many times this semester I've been stressed out, or just had plain, old bad days.

What with having two jobs that use around 30 to 40 hours of my time, plus classes and homework, being involved with an RSO, a few miscellaneous items, and then trying to have a social life on top of it all (not to mention hardly getting enough "me" time), this semester has been probably the most hectic.

Last week was the icing on top of the cake. I lost my dorm keys and went looking for them for two hours in the rain, with no luck (I did wind up finding them five days later), and my phone broke. Let me tell you, being a journalist with a broken phone sucks.

I was about to explode with stress.

I think when somebody runs into a situation like this, they need to step back and just relax.

It's hard, I know. But you just have to tell yourself - work, school, bad days - it's not everything. I think (myself, included) people can get so caught up in what they're doing that they forget the simple things in life.

That's when I started thinking.

A seven-year-old hasn't a care in the world. Children, in general, have a lot fewer worries.

But, what about the inner child?

Could there possibly be a way for adults to feel like children, even though they're not?

The answer: Yes.

First and foremost, all adults have to do is take some time to relax. And if they don't have time, they should make time. Stressed-out adults deserve this.

According to wikihow.com, there are a few ways to get started.

Adults should do things they enjoyed when they were a kid, such as going to a playground or playing with toys.

So why not take a trip to Morton Park, and enjoy the nice fresh air while you still can?

And if you liked toys, head to the kid's section over at Wal-Mart.

I'm not recommending adults to buy the latest version of Barbie or a glow-worm, but there are some pretty cool toys in the kids' section adults can have fun with, like Play Doh.

Not only is Play Doh a stress reliever like a stress ball, but it's also a nice way to express creativity. So, go ahead and make a tree, a flower, anything your heart desires.

Another thing kids don't stress about - their meals.

For once, don't pay attention to the nutrition labels. Pig out. Not all the time, but indulge yourself just once.

If this seems a little too irrational for most adults, there are still ways to embrace their inner child. It's simple - when they're at home and doing chores, they should act like a child while doing them.

For example, if you have to do laundry, once it's done and out of the dryer, dump it all out on the floor and lay on top of it. Appreciate the warmth.

While cleaning, make sure the music is on, loud. And why not dance as you clean?

The most important thing to remember: You don't stop having fun when you get old - you get old when you stop having fun.

Sam Sottosanto is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at DENopinions@gmail.com or at 581-7942.

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