Many of our happier times are associated with play, and often with childhood.
For me, it’s building a den in summertime beneath the leaves of a weeping willow tree, and making perfume out of water and petals.
It’s roller-skating down the road in the days when everyone had a pair of roller boots, skipping together in the school playground and building a giant snowman on the playing field in winter.
They were times when nothing else mattered, when we lived in the moment and lost track of time, like being in a flow state.
Many of us lived in times before the internet and satellite tv and played outside until the last hours of daylight, or when were called in for our dinner.
Play isn’t just for children
It’s easy to think that play is just for children. Busy lives with responsibilities and work commitments makes it harder for us, as adults, to incorporate play into our lives, although the research tells us we would benefit immensely it.
We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. ~ George Bernard Shaw
In her book Why We Play, psychotherapist Joanna Fortune says that tending to, and nurturing, our playful selves in adulthood is one of the best personal investments we can make.
Benefits of play
Whether it’s through games, hobbies, sports, or creative activities, play offers a multitude of physical, mental, and emotional benefits that can enhance the quality of life.
For example, play can build trust and security (Johnson, 2003), promote emotional stability (Berk, Mann, & Ogan, 2006), increase motivation (Barnett, 2011) moderate conflict and facilitate communication (Terr, 1999), increase well-being (Staempfli, 2007) and generate excitement, as well as indicating or enhancing intimacy (Baxter, 1987).
In the field of positive psychology, play and playfulness are considered important to human flourishing and psychological health (Lockwood and O’Connor, 2017).
Stress Relief and Emotional Well-Being
One of the most immediate and obvious benefits of play is stress relief (Orthner, 1976).
In our busy and often overwhelming lives, play offers a much-needed break from the pressures of work, responsibilities, and daily routines.
Engaging in playful activities allows us to disconnect from stressors, helping to reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
Twister and Charades
Play also contributes to emotional well-being by boosting mood and enhancing feelings of happiness, as anyone who has played Twister at a party will confirm.
The family game of Charades at Christmas, especially when some members have slightly different abilities to mime the correct answer, and alcohol has been consumed, is another example.
When we engage in activities that bring us joy, our brains release endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. This not only elevates our mood but also helps combat anxiety and depression.
The water pistol fight
On a recent family holiday, the highlight was a water pistol fight which saw my brother shooting out of an upstairs at his unsuspecting siblings below. He was in his late forties at the time. The laughter is caused will live long in our memories.
This is proof that playful activities, especially those that involve laughter, can be incredibly effective in lifting our spirits and providing a sense of emotional release.
Cognitive Benefits and Mental Sharpness
Play is not just about having fun; it also keeps our minds sharp. Many forms of play, such as puzzles, board games, and strategy-based video games, require critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
These activities challenge the brain, helping to improve cognitive functions like memory, concentration, and decision-making.
Additionally, play encourages adults to think outside the box and approach problems from different angles. This kind of creative thinking can be especially beneficial in professional settings, where innovative solutions are often required.
Engaging in playful activities regularly can help maintain mental agility and prevent cognitive decline as we age.
Physical Health and Fitness
While not all forms of play are physically demanding, many involve some level of physical activity, which is essential for maintaining good health.
Activities like sports, dancing, or even just taking a walk in the park can increase cardiovascular health, improve muscle strength, and enhance flexibility.
For adults who may find traditional exercise routines monotonous, incorporating play into their fitness regimen can make physical activity more enjoyable and sustainable.
For example, joining a recreational sports league or participating in a dance class can provide the same health benefits as going to the gym, but with an added element of fun and social interaction.
Social Connections and Improved Relationships
Play often involves interaction with others, which is crucial for building and maintaining social connections. Whether it’s participating in team sports, playing board games with friends, or engaging in a hobby group, play fosters a sense of community and belonging.
These social interactions are vital for combating loneliness and building strong relationships. Shared play experiences create bonds and memories that strengthen friendships and family connections.
Team-building activities
Additionally, play can improve communication skills and help adults navigate social dynamics more effectively. In professional settings, team-building activities that incorporate play can enhance collaboration and cooperation among colleagues.
My favourite was a circus skills class, which is always going to be a better team-building exercise than a quiz based on the company’s growth figures.
Creativity and Personal Growth
Engaging in playful activities can unlock creativity and lead to personal growth. Play allows is to explore new interests, develop hobbies, and express themselves in ways that might not be possible in more structured environments.
Whether it’s through art, music, writing, or any other creative pursuit, play provides an outlet for self-expression and exploration.
Experimentation and risk-taking
Play also encourages experimentation and risk-taking without the fear of failure. In a playful setting, mistakes are often seen as part of the process rather than setbacks.
This mindset can be incredibly liberating for adults, encouraging us to take on new challenges, learn new skills, and grow both personally and professionally.
Work-Life Balance and Productivity
Incorporating play into daily life can also lead to better work-life balance and increased productivity. When we make time for play, they return to our work and responsibilities with a refreshed mind and renewed energy.
This can lead to improved focus, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, making us more effective in our professional roles.
Many tech companies have table tennis tables, as well as table football, in their recreation spaces, which are great as long as you make time to use them. Some, like Google, have ball pits and even slides leading from one floor to another.
Disconnecting from work and preventing burnout
Play can serve as a healthy way to disconnect from work and prevent burnout. By prioritising leisure time and engaging in activities that bring joy, we can create a more balanced and fulfilling life. This balance is essential for long-term well-being and sustained productivity.
However, if play is not viewed as a productive means to spend our time, then play among adults may be perceived as frivolous, over-indulgent, or even irresponsible (Sutton-Smith, 2008) whether in the workplace or outside of it.
Living in the Moment
As we grow older, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple joys in life. Responsibilities and obligations can make us forget the importance of living in the moment and enjoying ourselves.
In Why We Play, Fortune offers examples of these simple pleasures including the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the first sip of ice-cold orange juice, opening a biscuit tin and finding your favourite biscuit there, and arriving at the bus stop just as your bus pulls in.
Play reminds us of the joy of spontaneity and the thrill of discovery. It allows us to reconnect with their inner child, embrace curiosity, and experience the world with a sense of wonder.
Play promotes Mindfulness
Living in the moment through play can also promote mindfulness, a practice that has been shown to reduce stress, enhance emotional regulation, and improve overall well-being.
When adults engage in playful activities, they are more likely to be present, fully immersed in the experience, and free from the distractions of everyday life.
Embracing the Power of Play
In a society that often emphasises productivity and seriousness, it’s important for us to remind ourselves that play is a necessity rather than a luxury and we can gain a lot from it.
The benefits of play for adults are profound, impacting every aspect of our lives from our mental and physical health to our relationships and personal growth.
By making time for play, we can lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Sources
Barnett, L. A. (2011). How do playful people play? Gendered and racial leisure perspectives, motives, and preferences of college students. Leisure Sciences, 33(5), 382–401.
Baxter, L. A. (1987). Symbols of relationship identity in relationship cultures. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 4, 261–280.
Berk, L. E., Mann, T. D., & Ogan, A. T. (2006). Make-believe play: Wellspring for development of self- regulation. In D. G. Singer, R. M. Golinkoff, & K. Hirsh-Pasek (Eds.), Play = learning: How play motivates and enhances children’s cognitive and social-emotional growth (pp. 74–100). Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press.
Fortune, J., 2022. Why We Play: How to find joy and meaning in everyday life. Thread.
Johnson, S. M. (2003). The revolution in couple therapy: A practitioner-scientist perspective. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 29, 365–384.
Lockwood, R. and O’Connor, S., 2017. Playfulness in adults: An examination of play and playfulness and their implications for coaching. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 10(1), pp.54-65.
Orthner, D. K. (1976). Patterns of leisure and marital interaction. Journal of Leisure Research, 8, 98–111.
Staempfli, M. B. (2007). Adolescent playfulness, stress perception, coping and well-being. Journal of Leisure Research, 39(3), 393–412.
Sutton-Smith, B. (2008). Play theory: A personal journey and new thoughts. American Journal of Play, 1, 82–125.
Terr, L. (1999). Beyond love and work: Why adults need to play. New York, NY: Touchstone.
