Play is Important. At Any Age!

In developmental psychology, play is considered a critical part of childhood. Playing with toys, pretending, creating games, and interacting socially all help children grow cognitively, emotionally, and physically. While play is widely recognized as essential for kids, many adults believe it is frivolous or even counterproductive. Once they reach adulthood, people tend to view play as unimportant, or as something reserved just for children.

However, play actually has significant benefits throughout a person's life. While the type of play evolves, the human need for it does not disappear in adulthood. Play provides enjoyment, stimulation, stress relief, bonding, creativity, and opportunities to learn and develop skills. Both children and adults can experience these cognitive, social, and emotional advantages from play. Far from being a meaningless waste of time, play is a vital human need that contributes to health and wellbeing across the lifespan.

Definition of Play

Play is generally defined as an activity that is voluntary, intrinsically motivated, flexible, fun and imaginative. While all play features some element of intrinsic motivation and enjoyment, there are many different types of play activities that promote learning, creativity, social connection and overall wellbeing. Some key types of play include:

• Physical play - This involves physically active, often outdoor play such as running, jumping, climbing, chasing games, or sports. Physical play builds strength, coordination and athletic skills.
• Pretend play - Also known as fantasy, imaginary or role play. This is where children or adults take on roles, act out stories, use props and engage in make-believe. Pretend play builds creativity, language, and social skills.
• Recreational play - Playing games and sports for relaxation, amusement and leisure. This provides a break from daily routines and promotes social connection.
• Creative play - Expressing oneself through open-ended activities like art, music, dance, writing. Creative play allows self-expression and can reveal talents and interests.
• Constructive play - Building and creating things. This could involve blocks, Lego, crafts, woodwork and promotes skills like spatial reasoning.
• Social play - Play activities that involve social interaction and bonding with others. This allows for relationship building and strengthens social competence.

While the type of play may vary greatly, the common factor is that play is flexible, voluntary, enjoyable and driven by one's own internal desire to participate. This intrinsic motivation and freedom are core aspects that differentiate play from work or structured activities. Play provides a safe space for imagination, creativity and exploration.

Developmental Benefits of Play

Play provides important developmental benefits for children at all ages. From infancy through the teen years, play helps build cognitive, emotional, and social skills that are vital for the rest of life.

Cognitively, play encourages creativity and imagination in babies and young kids. As they grow, play builds problem-solving skills, allowing children to find new solutions and think flexibly. Play also builds memory, reasoning, and literacy skills throughout childhood.

Emotionally, play helps children learn to manage stress. The pleasure of play creates natural endorphin releases that provide relaxation and relief from anxiety. Play also builds confidence as kids master new skills and challenges.

Socially, play encourages bonding and cooperation. Play provides a natural venue for young kids to build relationships and empathize with others. Group games allow older children to practice teamwork and conflict resolution skills as well.

The developmental benefits of play through the childhood and teen years provide an essential foundation for coping with the demands of adulthood. Play shapes the brain processes and capabilities needed to thrive in life.

Adult Attitudes Toward Play

Many adults have internalized negative attitudes about play that prevent them from embracing playfulness. As we grow up, play comes to be seen as frivolous, a waste of time, or inappropriate. Adults feel pressure to be serious, productive members of society. There is a fear of judgment for being silly, lighthearted, or playing games.

The Protestant work ethic reinforces the notion that playing is incompatible with responsibility and duty. Play gets relegated to sanctioned times and spaces, like recess for children or happy hour for adults. However, this compartmentalization of play prevents many grown ups from tapping into the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits of play throughout their lives. Internalized cultural norms equate play with irresponsibility and immaturity.

Adults may refrain from play for fear of looking childish, lazy, or wasting time. Many grown ups feel guilty when taking time for leisure activities rather than working. However, the notion that play is only for children denies adults the opportunity to relieve stress, foster creativity, build relationships, and simply experience joy. In fact, play is an essential human need across the lifespan, not just limited to the young.

Importance of Play for Adults

While play is critical in childhood, it remains highly beneficial and important across the lifespan. Play takes on new purposes in adulthood, providing stress relief, mood enhancement, cognitive health benefits, stronger social connections, and avenues for creativity.

- Stress relief and improved mood - Playful activities trigger the release of endorphins, the "feel good" chemicals in the brain. This leads to a positive mood boost and reduction in stress hormones like cortisol. Playing helps adults relax and unwind.

- Cognitive health and brain plasticity - Neural pathways and connections in the brain continue to develop and change throughout life. Play stimulates the mind, promotes neuroplasticity, and may help prevent cognitive decline. Engaging in intellectually challenging play strengthens reasoning skills and executive functioning.

- Social connection and relationships - Play brings people together, strengthening bonds and teamwork. Shared play activities may enhance intimacy and affection in romantic relationships. Play can act as a "social lubricant", facilitating interactions and helping adults make new connections.

- Creativity, innovation and problem solving - Play fuels imagination, inventiveness, and the generation of new ideas. Playful thinking promotes cognitive flexibility, divergent thought patterns, and “thinking outside the box” to devise creative solutions. Adults can apply play to spark innovation and solve problems at work.

The cognitive, social, emotional, and psychological benefits of play extend far beyond childhood. Embracing play throughout life enhances wellbeing, relationships, creativity, and mental acuity.

Types of Play for Adults

Adults can engage in many forms of play, both structured and unstructured. Here are some of the most common types of play that adults should make time for:

• Physical Activities and Sports

Participating in physical activities and sports allows adults to be active and tap into their playful side. Team sports like softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball enable friendly competition and camaraderie. Individual sports like tennis, swimming, cycling, and rock climbing provide a physical challenge. And recreational activities like hiking, kayaking, and skiing connect you with nature. Engaging the body stimulates the mind and allows adults to feel childlike joy.

• Games and Puzzles

Games and puzzles are intellectually stimulating forms of play. Board games, card games, and video games allow adults to flex their competitive spirit and challenge friends. Puzzle books, crosswords, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles exercise the brain. And games like charades and Pictionary boost creativity and get people laughing together. Games and puzzles provide an entertaining escape from daily stresses.

• Creative Arts, Crafts, Music

Exploring the arts allows adults to tap into their imagination. Drawing, painting, photography, jewelry making, pottery, sewing, knitting, woodworking, and other crafts enable creative expression. Learning to play a musical instrument unlocks a new skill. Singing in a choir builds community. And adult coloring books offer calming benefits. Immersing yourself in creative activities provides a sense of flow and childlike wonder.

• Outdoors and Nature

Spending time outdoors surrounded by nature evokes a sense of playfulness. Activities like walking in the woods, stargazing, flying a kite, blowing bubbles, and playing in the snow connect adults with their inner child. Being in nature restores mental clarity, reduces stress, and inspires awe. The outdoors provide a refreshing playground for adults to embrace a lighthearted mindset.

• Overcoming Barriers to Play

As we get older, it's easy to let play fall by the wayside. We get busy with work, family, and other responsibilities that can make play seem like an indulgence. However, making time for play offers tremendous benefits for adults. Here are some tips for overcoming barriers to play:

•  Make Time for Play

- Schedule time for play just as you would any other appointment. Even 30 minutes two to three times per week can make a difference.

- Take play breaks during your workday. Play can boost creativity, productivity, and mood.

- Wake up earlier to allow time for play before starting your day.

• Find Playmates or Play Alone

- Make play dates with your partner, friends, or family members. Agree to leave work talk behind.

- Join a sports league, take a class, or participate in meetups focused on playful hobbies.

- It's okay to play alone! Many activities like hiking, reading, art projects, or imaginative play can be enjoyed solo.

• Allow Yourself to be Silly and Laugh

- Don't let self-consciousness or ego hold you back. Play invites us to tap into our childlike wonder.

- Laughter and silliness release endorphins that reduce stress. Allow yourself to reap the benefits.

- If you feel uncomfortable, try playing in privacy until you feel freer to be yourself.

•  Try New Forms of Play

- Play comes in countless forms. Rotate through different playful activities to stimulate your mind and body.

- Think back to what you enjoyed as a child, but also explore new pursuits like improv comedy, board games, or flying a kite.

- Surprise yourself and tap into your creative spirit by playing in new ways.

The cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of play can easily be incorporated into adult life. With a playful mindset and a willingness to overcome barriers, play can lift your mood and enrich your relationships and life perspective. Don't underestimate the value of play at any age.

Play at Work

For most adults, work takes up a major portion of each day and week. While work is necessary, it can also become monotonous and stressful over time. Introducing an element of play into the workplace can provide substantial benefits.

Studies have shown that playful workplaces tend to have better morale, collaboration, and company culture. When employees have opportunities to play together through team building activities, office games, or fun competitions, it helps them see each other in a more positive light. Having fun together makes the environment more positive and employees are more motivated to work together towards common goals.

Play also promotes creativity and innovation in the workplace. When people feel free to have fun and be silly, it opens up their minds to think outside the box. Playing games that require creative problem solving, acting out scenarios, or brainstorming imaginary products are all ways to get employees thinking of novel solutions. Having a playful attitude makes it feel safer to take risks and try new approaches.

Additionally, incorporating play into the workday helps lower employee stress and burnout. Taking regular play breaks, whether going outside for a walk or playing a quick round of computer games, gives people's minds a rest. It refreshes them and helps them return to work feeling more focused. Losing oneself in an immersive game provides an escape from work worries. Office sports teams, joke competitions, or Nerf gun battles offer lighthearted ways to let off steam and feel re-energized.

Making space for playfulness to coexist alongside serious work demonstrates that employee happiness and wellbeing matters. It's a wise investment for improved productivity, camaraderie, and innovation. Play should not be confined to childhood, as we all need it throughout our lives, even at work.

Play in Relationships

Play can have a profound impact on our relationships with romantic partners, friends, and family members. When we allow ourselves to be silly, creative, spontaneous, and vulnerable through play, it strengthens bonds and brings us closer together.

Playing together releases oxytocin, the “love hormone” that promotes feelings of intimacy and connection. Laughter and smiling also boost endorphins, our “feel good” hormones, making time spent with loved ones more pleasurable. Play provides a fun way for couples to flirt, try new experiences together, and take a break from the mundane routines of daily life.

Playful activities allow us to see our significant others in a new light. Trying something silly or outlandish together shows that we are comfortable letting our guard down. Play can reveal hidden facets of someone's personality that we may not see during serious conversation. It also helps smooth over conflict since it's harder to stay angry when you are both laughing.

Beyond romantic relationships, play also nurtures friendships. Sharing funny inside jokes and making up silly games are hallmarks of close friend groups. The ability to be completely yourself and let loose during playtime shows the depth of friendship. Play activities provide friends with shared experiences that form inside stories and fond memories.

With family, play allows adults to connect with their inner child and interact on the same level as kids and teens. Playing traditional family games and joking around keep family bonds strong across generations. Play gives families a chance to step away from routines, rules, and responsibilities for a little while. The presence of play and humor in a family eases tension and brightens the home environment.

In conclusion, play provides significant benefits throughout our lives. As we grow into adults, play continues to provide joy, relieve stress, spark creativity, strengthen relationships, and improve overall wellbeing. The research is clear that play is not just for kids - it is an essential human need at all ages.

Though play may be frowned upon by some adults, it is important to incorporate playfulness into our lives. Make time for play, give yourself permission to be silly, seek out enjoyable hobbies, and approach relationships and work with a spirit of fun. Play relieves boredom, connects us with others, keeps our brains active, and counteracts the stresses of life.

Rather than viewing play as unproductive or frivolous, recognize that it is a vital part of the human experience. Play is for all ages - it is not something we outgrow. Nurture your playful spirit well into adulthood and reap the countless cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits of play.