26 Jun Why Play Isn’t Just for Kids
You wouldn’t think I’d have to remind a 20–year–old college student to schedule time to relax and have fun. Yet here I am reminding my adult son daily to stop and schedule in time for play.
Play is so underrated and inadequately prioritized, especially for adults. Yet it’s key for reducing stress, increasing our creativity, and helping our brain work better overall.
Still think play is a waste of time?
Think again! If you want to human better, you have eat, sleep, breath, and play.
Play is even important when it comes to our work. That’s because devoting time to having fun can actually increase our productivity, too.
A huge reason why is because when we relax and have fun, our body releases endorphins, a chemical produced in the brain that lifts our mood and decreases stress. Just as our bodies need sleep in order to function at their best, so do our brains need play in order to rest and reset.
Thankfully, play doesn’t have to be complicated or follow any particular set of rules in order to be beneficial for our brains. It can be as simple as spending time enjoying a hobby, journaling, or even doing something completely (seemingly) without purpose. As long as you want to do it and enjoy the process, it counts and carries tremendous value to your overall mental and physical health.
Learn from my mistake: All work and no play not only makes Jack—and Jill—dull, but it also makes us irritable, less-focused, overwhelmed with stress, and quickly leads to burnout, too.
YIKES!
So, what are you waiting for? Start prioritizing—and scheduling—some play time today. Your mood, mind, and body will thank you for it.
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