Do you make time for fun?
With summer here, kids are on vacation and they get the luxury of free time to play. But as we enter adulthood there isn’t much time for that, save for a couple weeks a year…or is there? Play, which can be defined as activities that have no other purpose than to be engaging and fun, can be easier to do than you might think. And in case you’re in need of some extra incentive to let your hair down and be more playful in life, there’s a growing body of research supporting this idea.
Studies show that engaging in play increases productivity and makes us more creative. We’re more likely to improve our problem-solving skills and think both more flexibly and outside the box. It helps prevent burnout from work, relieve stress, improves social skills, and even increases emotional well-being. In fact, Dr. Stuart Brown, a leading researcher on play, says “the opposite of play is not work, it’s depression.”
So how do we, as the stressed out, over-caffeinated, and overworked adults that we are get in touch with a sense of fun and childlike wonder? Here are some tips, broken down by life categories, that can help spark some ideas:
HOME
-Establish regular play times with your kids: It might be for 20 minutes before dinner or every Saturday in the morning; the details don’t matter. By setting aside time regularly you’re more likely to make this a habit. And remember, the time spent playing benefits both of you!
-Incorporate forms of play that you did when you were young: Can’t think of what to do with your kids? Bring down from the attic (or eBay) those action figures or dolls you played with as a kid and introduce them to your children. You’re more likely to revert back to your younger self more quickly, connecting with your kiddos in the process.
-Choose an activity with your partner with no goal: Go on a bike ride with no destination in mind or head to a local park and use the playground equipment.
WORK
-Schedule nights out with coworkers either unstructured or structured (e.g., unstructured activities like bowling, karaoke, pool, or more structured such as setting up a mini golf tournament or fantasy football league)
-Go beyond just work tasks in the office: throw parties, stage an office treasure hunt, take breaks to play a word or number game
PERSONAL
-Host a regular game night with friends: the more interactive the better (like charades) but you can’t go wrong here as long as it’s fun and not overly competitive
-Play with a pet: this one’s an easy gimme. Just think of the countless entertainment you can have with just a laser beam, a cat, and a hallway…
-Find intrinsic interests to pursue: An example of something I do in my life for play is with memes – you know, those word pictures on social media. My family, friends, and fan base all know that I love both sharing and creating memes. There are endless possibilities, they’re oodles of fun, and as a bonus I have a finished product I can share either a laugh or a profound moment with others. So try some things out to find your groove. (And don’t forget to be playful and have fun during the discovery process!)
Lastly, two quick take aways: We’re often participating in play more often than we realize, so don’t beat yourself up if you think you’re not doing this at all. And, most importantly of all, if you feel like you don’t have “time” to play, you’re likely in need of it the most!