The Paradox of Seriousness and Playfulness

How many times are our struggles made worse by our "freaking out" about our having a struggle?

Here's a thought I've found very helpful, for my own tendency towards seriousness:

"The seriousness with which families approach their problems can be more the cause of the difficulties than the effect of the problems… Seriousness presents a paradox. If family members are not serious about their responsibilities, the family may become unstable and chaotic. But seriousness can also be destructive. Seriousness is more than an attitude; it is a total orientation, a way of thinking embedded in constant, chronic anxiety. It is a lack of flexibility in response, a narrow repertoire of approaches, persistent efforts to try harder, and a loss of perspective."

"Families that evidence such seriousness are as if surrounded by volatile fumes of anxiety, and any small incident can cause a flare-up. They will always assume that it was the incident that created the problem, but it is the way they relate and think that gives nay incident its inflammatory power. If changes can be made in such a noxious atmosphere then the fumes of anxiety disperse, and the sparking incidents of life lose their explosive potential."

"The antidote to seriousness is the capacity to be playful."

What do you do to cultivate a healthy sense of play?