We talk about why play is fundamental to our health, relationships, and creativity – no matter what our age – and share tips for making more time for play as adults.
Our topic in this episode is a fun one: making time for more play!
If you have kids or spend time with kids, you know how essential play is for them. Educator and physician Maria Montessori said, “Play is the work of the child,” where they learn a variety of skills and build relationships.
But when we grow up, we somehow start thinking about play as optional or frivolous or childish. Spoiler alert: it’s none of those things and is actually fundamental to our health and well being!
Play is crucial to personal health, stress management, and healthy relationships. Research shows lay increases creativity and productivity and contributes to successful problem solving. Play from physical activity reduces stress hormones and releases feel-good endorphins that boost your mood and help you relax. And as you age, play – especially the kind that involves socializing – protects against depression, improves cognitive health and lowers your risk of developing diseases like dementia.
We share:
- The science behind the importance of play at any age
- Examples of types of play
- Obstacles that can get in the way of play as adults
- Our experiences with play as kids and as adults
- 4 strategies for making time for more play every day
Get In Touch
What’s your favorite way to play as an adult? How do you make sure you get recess during your day?Email us at podcast[at]semitogether.com or send us a voice memo.
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Resources
- Rising Spiral Coaching, where Melia is coaching fellow self-critics and perfectionists, including adults with ADHD
- EP 23: Perfectionism & Self-Compassion
- We Can Do Hard Things podcast: “FUN – What the hell is it, and why do we need it?”
- Unlocking Us podcast’s Summer Sisters Series: Part 5 and Part 6
- The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown
- New York Times: How to Add More Play to Your Grown-Up Life, Even Now
- New York Times: Let’s Ignore Each Other in the Same Room
- NPR: Play Doesn’t End With Childhood: Why Adults Need Recess Too
- NBC News: Adults need recess too. Here’s why you should make time to play.
- Ted Talk, Dr. Stuart Brown: Play is more than just fun
- The National Institute for Play
- Scholarpedia: Neural inhibition
- Scholarpedia: Attention
