It’s Time to Play!

emotional well being enjoyment flexible imagination improve mood play reducing stress self motivated social spontanious May 29, 2024

Remember when we were children and we used to have scheduled time to play in our day? Scheduled time to play! Recess! If you have kids you most likely see them getting lost in imaginary play or watch them approach other kids on the playground or at gatherings and ask, “Do you want to play?” You may even encourage them to do so! When is the last time you approached someone you don’t know and asked them if they wanted to play?

What happened to play? If you don’t have play in your life, when in the transition to adulthood did you lose the spirit of play? When is the last time you remember playing? I remember in my 20s playing an epic game of hide and seek in the forest that lasted most of the day. It was exhilarating! And if there is a swing set, I am on it! What about you?

Some of you may have play in your life. Maybe you enjoy group sports, game nights, rock climbing, skiing, dancing or other activities that put you in a state of play. If so, how have you been able to prioritized play?

So what is play anyways?

The National Institute for Play (NIFP) says: “Play is state of mind that one has when absorbed in an activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of sense of time. And play is self-motivated, so you want to do it again and again.” Dr. Stuart Brown. Play is a multifaceted activity that is crucial for development, creativity, and well-being across all ages. It is generally characterized by:

Voluntary and Self-Motivated: Play is done for its own sake, not because it is required. It is an intrinsically motivated activity that participants engage in willingly.

Enjoyable and Pleasurable: The primary purpose of play is to provide enjoyment and pleasure. It brings joy and often results in laughter and happiness.

Flexible and Spontaneous: Play is often spontaneous and flexible, allowing participants to be creative, explore, and experiment without rigid rules or outcomes.

Engages the Imagination: Play often involves imagination and creativity. It can be a way to explore new ideas, roles, and scenarios.

Unstructured or Structured: Play can be unstructured (free play), or structured with specific rules and goals (games and sports). Both forms are valuable and offer different benefits.

Social or Solitary: Play can be a social activity involving interaction with others, or it can be a solitary activity that one enjoys alone.

Process-Oriented: The focus in play is on the process rather than the outcome. The act of playing is more important than winning or achieving a particular result.

Pay is essential not just for children but for adults as well. It contributes to a balanced and fulfilling life by providing a break from the burden of our daily responsibilities, stimulating creativity, and fostering social connections. Incorporating play into daily routines can lead to improved mental health, better relationships, and overall well-being. These benefits include cognitive development by enhancing problem-solving skills, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. It can improve physical health by promoting physical fitness, fitness coordination, and overall health. It can improve emotional well-being by reducing stress, improving mood, and can provide an outlet for expressing emotions. And it can help cultivate resilience by encouraging risk-taking and learning from failure in a low-stakes environment.

So why did play go away? Some common themes are time constraints relating to having busy schedules filled with work, household responsibilities, and family obligations. Cultural norms that emphasize productivity and responsibility over leisure or play for adults. Stress and mental load including financial concerns, career demands, personal responsibilities, and mental fatigue reduce the inclination to engage in playful activities. Adults often have less organized opportunities for play. They may also substitute traditional forms of play with passive entertainment such as watching TV or using social media which are less physically or creatively engaging. And adults often have more physical limitations that may make some forms of playing more challenging or less appealing. Do any of these sound familiar?

Ok, so there are some barriers, but it doesn’t mean we can’t still engage in play! It just might take a little more planning and intention. So when you think of engaging in play, here are some ideas. Remember the definition of play? “Play is state of mind that one has when absorbed in an activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of sense of time. And play is self-motivated, so you want to do it again and again.” Dr. Stuart Brown. Play is not just another task to check off your to-do list!

Join Clubs or Groups: Participate in sports leagues, hobby groups, or clubs that focus on activities you enjoy such as board games, dance, hiking, or creative arts.

Try New Activities: Explore new hobbies or activities that interest you, This could be anything from painting, cooking classes, or learning a musical instrument to rock climbing or yoga.

Incorporate Play into Exercise: Choose physical activities that are fun and playful, such as dancing, playing a sport, or joining a fitness class that emphasizes enjoyment.

Gamify Routine Tasks: Turn everyday tasks into games. For example, time yourself to see how quickly you can complete chores or set challenges and rewards for completing work tasks. (Remember the clean-up song?!)

Take playful Breaks: During work or study sessions, take short, playful breaks. Engage in quick, fun activities like doodling, playing a short online game, or doing a mini puzzle (Wordle anyone?)

Social Play: Organize regular social gatherings focusing on playful activities like karaoke nights, trivia games, or escape rooms (Hide and seek anyone?).

Play with Physical Intimacy: Play in the bedroom (or elsewhere!). Being curious, exploring, creative, and trying something new.

Create a Playful Environment: Surround yourself with playful elements in your environment. Decorate your workspace with fun and whimsical items, keep a stash of games and toys handy, or set up a play area at home (Coloring books, puzzles, horseshoes?!).

Revisit Childhood Favorites: Reflect on games and activities you loved as a child and reintroduce them into your life. This could include anything from playing card games to flying kites. (Can we say SWINGING!).

Embrace Spontaneity: Allow yourself to be spontaneous and open to playful moments throughout the day. Embrace opportunities for humor, laughter, and lighter-hearted interactions (1 Minute Dance Party?!).

Schedule Playtime: Just like any other important activity, schedule time for play. It could be a weekly game night, a weekend sports activity, or a daily break for a fun hobby.

What is your current relationship to play? Are there ways that you can invite more play into your life?

If you would like to take a fun short quiz on your play personality, you can do so here. You don’t have to give your email! It’s fun! Play Quiz

If you would like support for the practice of turning inward, I am offering a new course, Introduction to Mindfulness. This is a 5 week self-paced course that offers all of the tools you need to create a foundational mindfulness practice!

Learn more about Introduction to Mindfulness Course Here!

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It’s Time to Play!

If you would like support for the practice of turning inward, I am offering a new course, Introduction to Mindfulness. This is a 5 week self-paced course that offers all of the tools you need to create a foundational mindfulness practice!

Stay connected with news and updates!

Self Care=Self Knowing

A 6 Module online course to cultivate a more present, engaged, and balanced life.

Join Our Free Trial