Six Ways to Be More Playful in Your Everyday Life

Being playful isn't just for kids - incorporating playfulness into your everyday life as an adult can have surprising benefits for your overall wellbeing and happiness. Playfulness is defined as engaging in activities for enjoyment and amusement, rather than just achievement or profit. Play taps into creativity, humor, pleasure, and joy - all elements that can get lost once we reach adulthood.

Research has shown that playfulness can reduce stress, improve mood, boost immunity, enhance relationships, and increase resilience. As we get older, responsibilities tend to pile up and we can get stuck in rigid routines. Making a conscious effort to add playful activities, a lighthearted attitude, and a sense of fun into your regular schedule can reconnect you with your inner child. It provides balance against the seriousness of work and adult responsibilities. Play reminds us not to take life too seriously.

Adding more playfulness to your life requires letting your guard down, being willing to make mistakes, and not worrying about judgments. It's about embracing activities that spark curiosity, imagination, and excitement. Play creates an atmosphere of laughter, bonding, adventure and novelty that allows happiness to flourish. Incorporating play into each day leaves you feeling refreshed, energized and youthful.

1) Lighten Up Your Morning Routine

Waking up a little earlier and taking time to enjoy the quiet morning hours can set a more playful tone for your whole day. Instead of rushing out the door in a frenzy, give yourself at least 30 extra minutes after you wake up. Spend this time relaxing, reading, or meditating to start your day on a calm and positive note.

Making breakfast can also be a chance for playfulness. Try shaping pancakes into fun shapes or decorating your morning toast into an edible work of art. Cut fruit into unique designs. Or blend together colorful smoothies. Breakfast sets the energy for the rest of your day, so be creative and make it fun. Dancing while you cook, listening to upbeat music, or watching a silly YouTube video are other ways to lighten up your morning meal routine.

2) Incorporate Games into Your Work Day

Adding a bit of playfulness into your work day can make even the most mundane tasks more enjoyable. Take regular breaks to play simple games on your phone or computer, like solitaire, Tetris, or word puzzles. Turn tasks into friendly competitions by timing yourself or challenging co-workers to see who can finish first.

Make productivity more game-like by creating point systems for accomplishments or using apps that turn your to-do list into an adventure. Celebrate successes with silly rewards like dancing or singing. Even just decorating your office space with toys, puzzles, and games can spark creativity. The goal is to incorporate elements of play so you're not just robotically checking off tasks. A little bit of fun will boost morale and energy.

3) Schedule Play Dates

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to make time for playing and having fun. Scheduling regular play dates is an excellent way to bring more joy and lightheartedness into your daily routine. Set aside time on your calendar to engage in activities that make you feel carefree and tap into your inner child.

Plan weekly play dates with your kids, partner, or friends to do something purely for enjoyment. This could be anything from bike riding to playing board games to visiting a trampoline park or arcade. Schedule it in advance so you make it a priority rather than only playing when you have spare time. Dedicate at least an hour or two per week for unstructured playtime with your loved ones.

Play dates don't always have to involve going somewhere either. You can designate an evening each week for your family to play charades, build blanket forts, or make up silly games and dances. Or get a group of friends together for regular game nights filled with laughter and friendly competition.

The key is committing to regular playtime with people you enjoy so that you always have something to look forward to. It's a great way to nurture relationships, reduce stress, and take a break from responsibilities. Schedule play dates on your calendar and protect that time to ensure you experience the rejuvenating effects of play.

4)  Be Silly with Loved Ones

Being silly with your loved ones is a great way to add more lighthearted fun into your daily life. Set aside time where you can all be goofy together and let your inner child out. Tell jokes, make up silly songs, or have dance parties in the living room. Laughing reduces stress, brings you closer, and makes everyday moments more playful.

You can also have contests to see who can be the silliest. Try making up the funniest dance moves, facial expressions, or impressions. Or see who can come up with the most ridiculous jokes that will leave you in stitches. It might feel awkward at first, but the more you let loose, the more you'll enjoy being silly as a family or couple. Don't be afraid to look ridiculous and have fun bonding through laughter and goofiness.

Adding a regular dose of silliness into your interactions creates joyful memories and deepens your relationships. So put on some upbeat music, be foolish, and revel in the giggles and smiles on your loved ones' faces. Laughter truly is contagious, so let it spread as you enjoy being silly together.

5) Explore and Adventure

As adults, we often get stuck in a routine of going to work, home, and the same places in between. Break out of the rut by actively exploring new places and trying new activities. This brings back the childlike wonder of adventure and discovery.

Visit playgrounds in your city that you've never been to before. Take your kids or just go by yourself to enjoy the slides, swings, and jungle gyms. Many playgrounds cater to both children and adults with exercise equipment stations along the trail.

Discover new hiking trails, parks, beaches, or other outdoor recreational areas near you. Pack a picnic or get ice cream after. Part of the adventure is stopping to smell the flowers or soak in beautiful views that you don't normally see.

Check upcoming exhibits and events at children's museums in your area and buy tickets. You'll get to play with interactive science experiments, arts and crafts, pretend shops, and more. After, discuss which hands-on activities were your favorites.

Research local classes or meetup groups for recreational hobbies that interest you like painting, pottery, scrapbooking, woodworking, photography, dance, martial arts, or outdoor adventures like kayaking, rock climbing, or caving. Then take the leap and sign up! Having an activity outside of work scheduled keeps you engaged.

The world is full of fascinating places to explore and exciting new hobbies to try. By regularly venturing out of your comfort zone, you rediscover your sense of childlike wonder.

6) Get Creative

You're never too old to tap into your inner child and get creative! Setting aside time for artistic expression is a wonderful way to inject more lighthearted fun into your routine. Consider taking an art, craft, or improv class in your community. Or let your imagination run wild by making crafts, drawing, painting, or creating music just for the pure enjoyment of it.

Doodle, scribble, and color outside the lines without any regard for the final product. Finger paint like you did as a kid. Make silly putty or slime and squish it between your hands. Build sculptures out of random household items like toilet paper tubes and empty boxes. There are so many ways to tap into your creativity and have fun in the process!

Don't censor your imagination or judge your artistic abilities. This is playtime, not work, so let go of perfectionism. Follow your whims and explore new mediums until you find one that feels joyful. You'll reap the benefits of creative play including boosted mood, lower stress, and positive emotions. Unlock your inner child and infuse art, crafts, music or improv into your daily life for a quick creative pick-me-up whenever you need it.

Being more playful can have a profound impact on our lives. As we've discussed, incorporating play into your daily routine provides a variety of benefits. It reduces stress, boosts creativity and problem-solving, strengthens relationships, and enhances overall wellbeing.

The key is making play a regular habit, not just something we do occasionally. Find small, simple ways to add fun and levity to ordinary moments. Lighten up mundane tasks by turning them into games. Schedule playdates with friends or family. Seek out new adventures and activities that spark joy. Pursue creative hobbies and passions. Focus on wonder, curiosity, and having a good laugh.

By cultivating a playful mindset, we can improve our quality of life. We'll be more positive, energetic, and resilient in the face of challenges. Play relieves boredom and brings vibrancy to our everyday experiences. It connects us back to our inner childlike joy and reminds us not to take life too seriously. Make the effort to play more - your mind, body, and relationships will thank you.