Play seems to come naturally for children and is a fundamental part of their world and daily routine. Play is crucial to children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, improves their relationships with peers and attachment figures, and even helps them learn skills for emotional regulation. But have you ever thought about the importance of play beyond childhood?
Our idea of play evolves as we age, yet it remains a fundamental part of being human. In adulthood, life centers more on responsibilities, achievements, and future goals. “Play” may revolve around our own or others’ social calendars and come second to our to-do lists. But what if we allowed ourselves to slow down and approach even the most mundane tasks with curiosity, wonder, and a sense of playfulness, recognizing that play is just as beneficial for the well-being of adults as it is for children?
The Effects of Play
Playing reduces stress, increases feelings of social connectedness, and improves cognitive functioning and resilience. Being playful allows us to become immersed in the present moment, fostering a sense of calm while increasing our ability to solve problems, see things from a different perspective, and generate new ideas. Effectively, play increases confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of purpose. “Play” can mean anything that brings joy, fulfillment, awe, or a feeling of being present. This could be trying out a new hobby, diving into a topic that fascinates you, playing a sport or board game, grabbing coffee with a friend, taking a different route on your daily commute, or simply trying out a new recipe.
As it turns out, what constitutes “play” may differ from person to person. Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of The National Institute for Play, defined eight different play personalities:
- The Collector: Finds joy in gathering items, experiences, or accomplishments. They love collecting almost anything! This may include collecting rocks or stamps, seeing a favorite band as often as possible, or traveling and collecting experiences.
- The Competitor: Thrives in competitive environments with set rules. They love achieving high scores, winning games, or being the best in their group—whether playing a board game or spectating a tennis match.
- The Creator/Artist: Loves making things, whether art, crafts, or fixing something broken. This personality enjoys creating and experimenting, whether they share their craft or keep their work to themselves.
- The Director: Enjoys planning, organizing, and coordinating events or social gatherings. They find joy in bringing people together and may feel a sense of purpose through being in control of things.
- The Explorer: This is driven by discovering new things, traveling to new places, feeling new sensations, or engaging in new activities that engage their senses. The explorer likes to figure things out and may be curious about various topics.
- The Joker: Finds play in humor and silliness, making others laugh or playing pranks. They are the comedian of the group.
- The Kinesthete: Thrives through engaging in physical movement and enjoys pushing their physical limits. They are happiest when actively moving!
- The Storyteller: Inspired by imagination and enjoys performances, whether participating or watching. They may have a passion for love, turning everyday events into exciting stories.
So, how do you like to play? You can take a quiz to discover your play style here.
Author: Haley Endres