Play time
Play is such an important part of my life. In fact in my work with my own coach, it’s been defined as my life purpose. Hey, it’s even in my name: Playle. See it?
However, a grumpy adult recently told me to “grow up” and stop being childish when I expressed the importance of play and a new commitment I’m making in my own projects to launch play retreats for grown-ups. And of course, my inner child wants to stomp her feet and rebel against the grumpy adult telling me “no”.
But my inner child is on to something. And she’s not on to anything that’s new or unknown: “Little” Tracy just knows that play is just as important to adults as it is to children.
At some point in our lives we start to make a devastating connection between “play” and “childishness” that leads us to dismiss play in adulthood as frivolous and silly. We make nonsense connections about what type of play is acceptable for adults (board games, crossword puzzles, team sports, quizzes…) and those which are less okay (building blanket forts in our living rooms, roaring like a lion or crawling like a sloth, dressing up as a Disney princess, making silly faces out of the food on our dinner plate…).
A friend recently shared a memory of being on a flight with their family. While her younger sister was allowed to run up and down the aisle, playing with the other passengers and generally being free, she was firmly told “no, you’re a big girl now so you need to sit still and stay where you are.” Such memories shape us into experiencing shame in our desire to play. And some grumpy adults get a real kick out of dealing out the shame card. Why? Because they too have a relationship with play that manifests as shame.
The judgements that we form about play-structures and the fear of what others will think if we walk down the street in fairy wings, or start doing cartwheels on our front lawn, thus hold us back from the magical and transformative power of play.
So, here are a few reasons why play is as important to our adulthood as it is to our childhood:
Time for play helps to reduce stress, and thus supports rest and recovery.
It provides space for us to escape anxiety-inducing thoughts and be in the moment.
Play promotes curiosity, creativity and enhances problem-solving. In an article inspired by the words of Albert Einstein, N. V. Scarfe writes that the “highest form of research is essentially play”.
Play stimulates and improves brain function.
It helps us to develop and deepen connection with other people, and advance our social skills. This is so important today when we can at times be socially isolated.
Play improves productivity, innovation and teamwork in the workplace.
And all of this is why one of the biggest lessons I’ve had in life has come from my dog, Scout. She connects with people by running up to them and throwing her ball at them. She lives life like it’s an invitation to play. Like me, she’s middle-aged in dog years by the way, and there is no way that she’s gonna stop play anytime soon. And so my motto for living my own life has become “throw the damn ball”. Live life as if it’s an invitation to play.
Over the coming weeks we’ll take a deeper look at play and the role that it has in your life. We’ll think about all kinds of different play, embedding play in the workplace, and we’ll even set some playful activities for you to get involved with. So, don’t forget to sign-up to my newsletter (at the bottom of this page) if you want to receive notice of future blog posts. And if you feel like joy and play might be lacking in your life, then take a look at Play Boost, my at-home DIY play retreat or chat to me about coaching.