We all know that play is vital to the healthy development of children. But play is just as important for adults. For us adults, play is not as simple as it is for children. In our busy modern lives, many of us are so focused on work and family that we neglect to take time for ourselves to relax and release stress. We often view play as a luxury, or even as a distraction. But the truth is, play isn’t just for kids. Adults also need to play to relax and regain the joy of life.
Give yourself some time to play!
Play helps us escape from the hectic pace, relieves stress, stimulates creativity and enhances relationships. Playing with your children, friends, and coworkers can enhance your relationship with each other and bring back the joy that has long been missing. In playing, you will rediscover the fun of life and meet the challenges of life with a fuller spirit.
Stress affects our emotional and physical health, making it easy to feel tired and anxious. And play boosts the body’s secretion of endorphins, a natural happy hormone that boosts overall well-being and helps relieve our physical and mental pain and discomfort. When you’re immersed in a game or sport, your brain enters a relaxed and focused state that allows negative emotions to dissipate, and feelings of relaxation and enjoyment to fill your entire body. Even a brief moment of play is enough to restore you from exhaustion and free you from anxiety. Play shows us: life can be less heavy.
Toddlers and children usually learn best when they are playing, and this theory applies to adults as well. When you are in a relaxed and unrestricted state of play, the brain’s thinking pattern shifts from linear logic to divergent thinking, which sparks more novel ideas. Many ideas and inspirations, in fact, often do not originate at your desk, but rather burst forth while exercising, traveling, or playing. Play pushes you to dare to experiment and make mistakes, thus sparking unlimited creativity in the process. True inspiration is often born out of relaxed playtime rather than deliberate thinking.
Brain-challenging play activities such as solving puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and strategy games effectively exercise multiple areas of the brain and can help prevent memory loss and improve concentration and logical thinking skills. Studies have shown that regularly engaging in games that require thought and judgment can keep your brain active. When you play with family and friends, the brain is stimulated to engage in more verbal communication, emotional recognition, and social judgment, a complex form of social interaction that in itself is a comprehensive exercise in cognitive functioning and can help ward off stress and depression.
Play doesn’t have to be a specific activity, it can also be a state of mind. When you approach others with a relaxed, open attitude, communication becomes more natural and genuine. It may be a good idea to add a little humor to your work, or bring a little lighthearted banter to your daily interactions with friends – these small, seemingly insignificant details are actually embodiments of play. Adults are often estranged from each other due to stress and busyness, and play provides a stress-free common space to let down defenses and reconnect. In these relaxed interactions, family and friendships are deepened, and goodwill is built among coworkers. Play is a gentle force for repairing relationships.
Play can make people feel young, it evokes that enthusiasm and curiosity for life within us. With a young mind, the whole person will be more energetic and approachable. As George Bernard Shaw said, “We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” Keeping a playful mindset in your life by trying new things, participating in fun activities, or playing with your children can help you take a break from stress and rediscover your curiosity and exploration of the world. It is this sense of youthfulness from the inside out that becomes our most valuable strength when facing life’s challenges.
Playing is a psychological stress reliever and a great way to strengthen your body. Activities like outdoor sports, ball games, jumping rope and other forms of activities can exercise cardiorespiratory function, muscle coordination and body flexibility. Long-term adherence to moderate play can boost immunity and blood circulation, as well as control weight and prevent chronic diseases. When physical activity is combined with happy emotions, it prompts the brain to secrete dopamine and endorphins, which further improves sleep, boosts energy and gives you a healthy glow from the inside out.
For most adults, play has long been replaced by to-do lists on our schedules, with work, family, and responsibilities often filling our days. But the truth is that play is not a waste of time, but an important way to maintain mental toughness and balance the mind and body. We need to consciously seek out opportunities for play and relaxation and skillfully integrate them into our daily lives.
Psychologist Dr. Stuart Brown suggests that people’s playful tendencies can be broadly categorized into eight “play personalities”, including Director, Explorer, Competitor, Creator/Artist, Joker, Storyteller, Collector, and Kinesthete. While most people will exhibit multiple types, one is usually dominant. Understanding your gaming personality will help you find the best way for you to relax.
For example, if you’re an explorer, try going on a hike, traveling, or reaching out to new activities; if you’re a creator, getting your hands dirty with a little DIY, painting, or setting up a space can be a great way to relax. When you “play” on your own terms, fun will be more naturally integrated into your life.
Set aside a regular time for play, just like you schedule work meetings and family dinners. Play will only really show up in your life if you consider it an important schedule. Setting aside even just 15 minutes a day to do the little things that make you happy, such as painting, playing the piano, listening to your favorite music, lazing on the balcony or taking a walk in the sun, can be an effective stress reliever. Regular play is a form of self-repair.
Playing doesn’t have to mean repeating familiar activities; trying something new is more likely to spark fun and curiosity. Taking a new course, trying a new game, switching up your commute, or even exploring a place you’ve never been before can inject freshness into your life. Such new experiences activate the brain, stimulate creativity, and allow you to gain confidence and growth through constant experimentation.
At the same time, keeping an open mind, being willing to accept challenges and not being afraid to make mistakes is the only way to truly enjoy the fun of exploration. Gradually, you will find that trying new things enriches your life and broadens your horizons, helping you to better cope with various changes in your life and work.
Children are natural mentors of playfulness, and their imagination and creativity often ignite the childlike innocence within us. Playing is good for kids, but it’s also good for adults. Putting aside cell phones and anxiety to hopscotch, build blocks, and role-play with your child can enhance the parent-child relationship and provide adults with psychological nourishment in a relaxed interaction. Studies have shown that children with higher family connections typically exhibit higher levels of emotional and social growth. Even if you don’t have children of your own, you can still participate in parent-child activities in your community, playing with children and experiencing the pure joy and healing power of play.
Exercising outdoors in the company of sunshine and nature relieves stress and elevates your mood. Outdoor exercise tends to be more fun and open than closed gyms. Community parks, outdoor fitness equipment, ball fields, nature trails and other public spaces provide convenient conditions for people to exercise, making exercise freer and closer to life. Studies have shown that outdoor exercise is better than indoor exercise for physical and mental health, and is effective in improving immunity and sleep quality.
Nature is a playground in its purest form. Running on the grass, sweating under the sun, working out on community fitness equipment, or even just taking a few slow steps under the shade of a tree, can make people feel the stretching of their bodies and the relaxation of their hearts. Outdoor exercise is a form of play that speaks to nature and connects with the self. Get out there and let play be a part of your daily routine and revitalize your life.
Play has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of adults. The adult world should not only be filled with responsibilities and busyness, but also requires relaxation and joy. Adults need to stay energized to play and face life’s challenges with more energy. Give yourself some time to laugh, dance and experiment, and you will realize that the life-loving self has actually been there all along.
As an outdoor fitness equipment supplier dedicated to promoting health for all, we believe that a healthy lifestyle cannot be separated from a high-quality exercise space. With the help of adult outdoor fitness parks, let play come back to the daily routine, so that every adult can be in the sun, easy to exercise, harvest vitality and happiness.
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