When did you last play as an adult? We live in a culture that is play deprived. In the United States, we know that children should play, however, beginning as early as junior high, family and cultural messages shift to emphasis on productive rather than enjoyable activities. Why is this concerning? We now have multiple influences causing a decline in brain health and function (screen time and blue light to name a few), and lack of play is also a factor1.
Why Play? Playing builds:
- Flexibility, making it easier to change in new and uncertain situations3
- Learning-we learn how the world works and how friends interact2
- Calm, decreasing fear, stress and anxiety3
- Brain health by acting as a brain "fertilizer" as well as activating the calming part of the brain2,3
- Positve mood, including joy2,4
- Energy2
- Curiosity and creativity2
Our ability to play seems to be both genetic and related to how we played as a child3,4. What stops us from playing? We feel guilt because it is not productive, and is viewed by many as a waste of time. "If an activity doesn't teach us a skill, make us money, or get on the boss's good side, then we feel we should not be doing it2." The demands of adulthood responsibilities push play out of our life. However, getting just a little play that is consistent protects us against burnout, and makes us more happy and productive.
What is Play?
Multiple factors make an activity play. Each of us is attracted to unique methods of fun. Generally, play is a joyful activity done for it's own sake (not primarily for the end result) that is the essence of freedom-the things that most tie you down are eliminated. Play feels like escaping from life's burdens and stresses, and then gives a sense of “coming back to the world” when done2. Play is its own reward3.
Play Personalities
In thinking about your favorite ways of playing either as a child or an adult, which of these play personalities2 do you think you are? (you can be more than one):
- Socialite-people who are social connectors have fun getting to know others during an activity. Any play activity will do if there is time to get to know each other. This can even include connecting with pets.
- Mover-Movers want to push their bodies and feel the result. Play for them might be dance, sports or enjoyable exercise. Other activities in this category include playing an instrument, gardening, physical contests or going to amusement parks.
- Joker-a Joker's favorite play revolves around any kind of nonsense! These are the practical jokers who also enjoy funny games and comedy.
- Explorer-Explorers thrive on going to new places, either physically (travel), emotionally (new feelings via music or movement) and/or mentally (gaining new ideas or points of view).
- Competitor-Competitors get a sense of euphoria and creativity from playing competitive games with rules, and they enjoy playing to win.
- Director-these people are born organizers. As a result, their favorite play is planning and executing "scenes" (decorating, event planning, or social gatherings and parties).
- Collector-Collectors like to have the best and the most of everything, including interesting collections of objects, tools, furniture, the list goes on. Creative methods of collecting can involve antiquing, scrapbooking (if actual collections are not possible), or redecorating from collections. Other methods can be any method of using a collection such as cooking with collected cookware, recipes and ingredients; gardening with uncommon plants and garden art.
- Artist/creator- for creators, joy is found in making things. The options are many, ranging from art, woodworking, pottery, sculpture, sewing, knitting or crocheting, gardening, decorating, to fixing something broken. The fun is in the making or fixing, not necessarily the end result.
- Storyteller-Storytellers' imaginations are the key to enjoyable play including acting, writing (novels, poetry, plays, cartoons, etc.) OR reading, hearing or watching these stories. Other ways to play involving stories are photography, videography, blogging, recording stories of elderly relatives or taking a tour of an historical site.
Schedule it!
So pick a type of play that you know brings you joy or sounds interesting, make a plan, schedule it on your calendar, and have fun! Your body and brain will love you! If you would like to spend more time exploring which types of play would suit you most, click here for a play worksheet.
Adapted from:
- Vanderschuren L,J,M,J, Trezza V. What the laboratory rat has taught us about social play behavior: role in behavioural development and neural mechanisms. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2014;16:189-212.
- Brown S. Play. Penguin Group, NY, 2009.
- Siviy S. A brain motivated to play. Insights into the Neurobiology of Playfulness. Behaviour, 2016; 153(6-7): 819-844.
- National Institute for Play. nifplay.org