Play and Spontaneity – What about us?
/By Cintra Harbold, LCPC
Child psychologist Jean Piaget said, "Play is the work of children."
But what about us adults? These days it feels hard enough to just get through the day and complete daily tasks and chores needed to keep ourselves and our families going. If we’re lucky, our work may feel like play some of the time. So how and when do we get to have fun?
We might initially have to overcome various beliefs that we are not supposed to play as adults. We might say to ourselves, “I have no time to play” or “it’s too childish.” But before you cast aside the need for play as only that of youth, consider the fact that there is plenty of research out there showing the benefits of play for adults’ mental and physical health.
Dr. Stuart Brown defines play as a state of mind that one has when absorbed in an activity that provides enjoyment and a suspension of sense of time. And play is self-motivated so you want to do it again and again. He calls this “the play state.”
From a neurobiological perspective, the play state begins in the midbrain, just like hunger, fear, and caring does. When you engage in something playful, neurons in your midbrain light up and set off a series of connections that light up neurons across the brain and create a play state. So we can actually say that “play lights up the brain.”
As adults, time spent in a play state increases our resilience — it activates neural pathways in the brain that mitigate the effects of stress.
More benefits of play include:
• Takes us to a state of arousal within our “Window of Tolerance.” (call it “Good Stress”)
• Helps spark spontaneity and creativity
• Improves brain function
• Promotes cooperation and collaboration
• Refreshes body and mind
• Encourages creative thinking and problem-solving
• Helps build relationships and community
• Helps us get in touch with our inner child
https://www.nifplay.org/books/play-how-it-shapes-the-brain-opens-the-imagination-and-invigorates-the-soul/
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in “being an adult” that we forget how to play; we forget what was once enjoyable to us as a younger person.
To move toward adult play, recall your childhood experiences of play. Did you play imaginatively with toys, with peers or adults? Were you able to sing, dance, draw without concern for “correctness”? Were you a more physically active player or did your play involve engaging in a more sedentary hobby?
It follows that play for each of us is a very personal preference. Recalling childhood past times and interests can help. Remember the times you were so immersed and focused on something that it didn’t matter how others were seeing you – when you were in that “play state.” You can also find your “play personality” which Stuart Brown outlines as eight types. For example, there’s the Collector (who enjoys gathering items), and the Kinesthete (who finds joy in physical movement). Identify what activities resonate for you and click on the link below to find your own play personality!
Play Personalities - National Institute for Play
Remember, like anything worth having in our lives, we need to make time and be intentional about it. May you find time for play as much as possible!
Many of the ideas and facts in this blog were taken from the following resources:
Dr Stuart Browns’ book, “Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul,”
https://nifplay.org/
Looking for creative outlets?
Check out this one-day workshop hosted by Cintra Harbold, LCPC, and Debra Boblooch, LCPC, LCPAT, Licensed Art Therapist
