Why Adults Need to Play More
Somewhere along the way, many of us forgot how to play.
As children, we rarely questioned whether an activity was productive. We danced because the music was playing. We climbed trees, built forts, flew kites, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and spent hours creating imaginary worlds. We did these things simply because they brought us joy.
Then something changed.
As adults, we often measure our worth by how busy we are. If we are not working, answering emails, checking items off a to-do list, or solving the next problem, it can feel like we are wasting time.
It is no surprise that so many people feel stressed, overwhelmed, and disconnected.
At Grounded Mind Studios, we believe one of the healthiest things we can do often looks completely unproductive.
Flying a kite.
Dancing in your kitchen.
Taking a hike.
Playing a board game.
Laughing with friends.
Watching the clouds roll by.
These moments are not distractions from life. They are part of a healthy life.
Research supports this idea. Play is associated with lower stress, improved mood, stronger relationships, increased creativity, and greater psychological resilience. When we engage in activities simply because they bring us joy, we give our minds and bodies an opportunity to recover from the constant demands of everyday life.
Mindfulness is not only something that happens on a yoga mat or during meditation.
It also happens when you become fully absorbed in what you are doing. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described this as a “flow state”; a state of complete engagement that has been linked to greater well-being, creativity, and life satisfaction.
Whether you are flying a kite, dancing in your kitchen, hiking a trail, or laughing with friends, those moments help calm the nervous system and reconnect us with the present moment.
A Simple Challenge
This week, give yourself permission to do something that serves no purpose other than bringing you joy.
Fly a kite.
Throw a Frisbee.
Dance to your favorite song.
Color in a coloring book.
Skip rocks across a lake.
Whatever it is, enjoy it without worrying whether it is productive.
Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is remember how to play.
References
Brown, S. L., & Vaughan, C. C. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Avery Publishing.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion.
Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2018). The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058