Throughout history philosopher have argued over whether play or work is our essential nature. Some have even tried to reconcile the two by recommending we find something that feels like play and turn it into a job – but that never really seems to work[image error]

Nowadays play is back in the spotlight as many of the newly emerging learning difficulties experienced by the current generation of children are attributed to a lack of play. Moreover, in adults, a lack of play is correlated with diminished cognitive functioning and more intense feelings of stress, anxiety and depression – especially in women.

So what is play and why should we do it?

In layman’s terms, play is anything you do ‘just for fun’. There is no purpose to play and play is its own reward. This means that what counts as play is highly subjective. Colouring in, climbing trees, chasing Pokemon, hitting golf balls over the neighbour’s fence – if it’s pure fun to you, its play!

Play does us good, in part, because it just feels good. There is no attachment to outcomes in play so the enjoyment we derive comes from the experience of playing itself. Think back to when you were a child and the pure exhilaration and joy that came from swinging off a tree branch or hunting crabs on the beach. You weren’t trying to achieve anything so you experienced neither the highs, nor the lows, of chasing a goal.

But you were learning

Without even trying

One of the reason’s play has become important again in relation to child development is that children actually do most of their essential, early learning when they are playing. Not when they are participating in the structured ‘enrichment activities’ that have become so popular but rather when they are using their imaginations to build forts in the den or hike an imaginary trail through a mystical land (aka the back yard). Or dressing up their little brother in a pretty dress and pretending he was a visiting girl cousin…

In kids, physical play helps develop both the gross and fine motor skills that feed into spatial awareness and underpin a lot of later learning, the cognitive skills that relate to creative thinking, problem solving, academic ability and language use and the emotional skills that help us form and develop social connections. All of which is pretty important stuff!

But what about with adults?

So far, so what right? We all kind of get that play is important to kids but surely the whole point of being a grown up is to be a grown up and that means leaving behind all that childish play. Taking everything very seriously, wearing a lot of beige, being totally committed to our jobs and never, ever doing anything just for the fun of it…right?

Well not so much as it turns out. Those clever neuroscientists have been studying play in adults and found at that not only does play continue to be important to adults, but it is so for two very important reasons.

Firstly, the more we play, the larger our pre-frontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that governs higher order cognitive functioning – logical thinking, reason, creativity and so on. What’s more when we don’t play, this part of the brain actually shrinks. So not only does all work and no play make Jack and Jill exceptionally dull, but it also makes them a slightly less sharp tool in the shed.

Secondly, play seems to be the ultimate weapon against fear. This is because when we play the brain’s fear centre actually shrinks. Moreover, play is also linked to the development of emotional resilience.

People who play more tend to be more able to deal with adversity than those who don’t. They may experience the same stress in the moment the adverse event happens but they don’t seem to become crippled by it in the way those who don’t play appear to be. This is partially attributed to the ability of play to reduce cortisol levels in the blood. Lower levels mean you feel less angsty and anxious and therefore, more willing able to bounce back, have another go and move on.

Play is now seen to deliver such a big payload that some progressive companies in the US have actually started asking prospective employees what they do ‘just for fun’ to ensure they only hire the already playful (creative, resilient, good at solving problems and so on) into their team.

Putting a little play in your day

If you’re reading this at work, and I hope that you are, take a moment and think about how you could inject a little play in your day. Grab a piece of paper and make an aeroplane to throw around the office if that’s what seems like fun to you. Or start a game with colleagues. Or make plan to bring in some fun stuff to put on your desk – sparkly things, toy cars, your old magna doodle – whatever puts a smile on your dial and song in your heart.

Now if you do this right, someone in the office is probably going to notice so make sure you tell them what you’re up to – that this is you growing your creative brain and shrinking your fear centre – so they don’t think the workload has finally got to you and get on the phone to HR[image error].

Be the domino you want to see in the world

In an earlier blog I talked about the power of social networks in making cultural change – in particular the ability to influence up to 3 degrees of separation.

What this means in practice is that if you start to plant the seeds of play in your immediate family, social circle or workplace you can actually influence their friends and their friends, friends to become more playful.

Tag, you’re it!

About Me

Tricia Alach is an author, work-life coach and wellbeing professional who specialises in helping busy people create more balance, joy and fulfilment in life! To learn more about what she offers visit www.flowmindandbody.com or connect via facebook or @triciaalach