The Mental and Physical Benefits of Playing
Remember when we were little kids and our parents would tell us to go out and play? And then we would go outside and have a blast with our friends? Turns out, science agrees. Play is good for us, even as adults.
While recent studies have shown the negative effects of excessive screen time for kids, many studies have also shown its negative effects on adults. It’s not healthy to spend most of our waking hours staring at a screen. We need time to decompress, laugh, and enjoy life. We need time to play.
Play, defined among other things as engaging in sports and recreation, is crucial for our mental health.
A recent HelpGuide.org article explains that “playing with your romantic partner, friends, coworkers, pets, and children is a sure (and fun) way to fuel your imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional well-being.” It goes on to explain that “there doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself.”
In today’s fast-paced world, we often fall into the trap of thinking that everything has to have a point, that we have to accomplish some lofty goal, or that everything we do must be productive. But not so with play. With play, we simply need to have fun.
Why should we play?
Studies have found that play adds joy to our lives, helps relieve stress, connects us to the people around us in ways that we cannot replicate, even with online interactions, and it can help make us more productive at work. The caveat is that we have to physically interact with people to reap these benefits (not just interact with them online).
Let’s look at some of the other positive effects of play.
Have you ever felt happier or in a lighter mood after a game of pickleball, basketball, or tennis? Because play is generally fun, it triggers our bodies to release endorphins. This promotes a sense of well-being and helps relieve stress.
Yet play doesn’t always have to involve physical activities. Puzzles, board games, and strategic games like Chess all give us the enjoyment we need to buoy our moods, but they have the added benefit of helping improve our brain function. Plus, when we play with others, we benefit from the companionship, from the friendly competition, and from the connection we build together. The laughter and light-hearted discussions that commence help boost compassion and trust.
An article by the University of Washington School of Medicine and Public Health highlights these benefits, stating that play “helps lower our barriers and enables us to connect on a more emotional level. Playing together can re-kindle relationships and foster greater intimacy. It can even help people move past disagreements and frustrations.”
Shilagh Mirgain, PhD, a health psychologist for the University of Washington, explains that play “builds trust, quiets our inner critic, and eases our feelings of stress.”
We all need ways to reduce stress, add laughter and joy into our daily lives, and foster human connections with others. Read our suggestions below for some ways you can add more playtime into your life.
Play with your friends
Friendships are a vital part of life. Grab a friend or two and meet for a pickup basketball game. Or play a round of golf, flag football, or even a lawn game like lawn darts, bocce ball, or croquet. You could also hit a local bar for one of the hottest new activities—axe throwing! Or, for something more low key, challenge a friend to a game of pool or darts or meet for a friendly game of bowling. Any of these will help lighten your mood and relieve stress.
Play with your children
Kids need to learn how to use their imaginations and play, and sometimes we as adults need a refresher on this! There are so many ways that you can help them learn this necessary skill while also having fun. From racing Matchbox cars, to playing with trains or dolls, to swimming and playing water games, to visiting a water park, or to playing miniature golf, anything that uses your imagination, makes you laugh, or provides exercise will have immense mental and physical health benefits.
Play with your pets
Play doesn’t always have to be with another human being. Pets need exercise too, and you and your dog can both benefit from taking a walk or a jog together, going to the park and throwing a ball or Frisbee, or taking a hike. You can even play fun games with cat by throwing a small ball or toy and watching him chase it. Some cats will even return it to you so you can keep playing!
Taking ourselves and our lives too seriously can often result in decreased mental health. Remember that no one is ever too old to play. So make a promise to yourself, your friends, and your family to put down the phones, close your computer, and boost your playtime. We guarantee that the laughter and the fun will help decrease your stress and build solid relationships with those around you.
