The Importance of Play for Adults: Keeping Fun in Your Life at Any Age

Playing isn’t just for kids—it’s a vital part of life for adults too. While children are encouraged to play to aid in their growth and development, we often forget that play is equally essential for adults. Engaging in playful activities, whether it’s a sport, a creative hobby, or a favorite game, offers more than just fun; it’s a way to relieve stress, fuel creativity, and sharpen your mind.

Research shows that incorporating play into our lives can significantly enhance our well-being, helping us navigate life’s challenges with a lighter heart and a more open mind. So, whether you enjoy a spirited game of tennis, diving into a good book, or even building model planes, remember that playtime isn’t just a break—it’s a boost to your overall health and happiness.

Why Is Play Important For Adults?

Researchers have long emphasized the importance of play in childhood development, but studies also highlight its critical role in adult life. Engaging in playful activities as an adult can significantly enhance well-being and positively shape our character and outlook.

1. Enhances Overall Well-Being

A 2011 study suggests that adult playfulness is associated with several positive traits, such as enjoying making others laugh, easing tension, and encouraging creativity within groups. In the study, participants rated themselves on five types of “playful behaviors”—being spontaneous, expressive, creative, fun, and silly. Those with higher scores in playfulness were more likely to display qualities like:

• increased creativity
• a greater appreciation for beauty
• approaching life with enthusiasm and energy
• playful ways of expressing love
• a strong sense of hope
• a good sense of humor

The researchers concluded that these attributes linked to playfulness significantly enhance overall well-being. Similarly, a 2013 study found that adults who embrace play and playfulness tend to have higher levels of life satisfaction and engage more frequently in enjoyable and active lifestyles compared to less playful adults.

2. Aids in Coping with Stress

Engaging in activities that bring joy and pleasure has a calming effect that helps reduce stress. A 2013 study found that adults who are more playful tend to report lower levels of stress. Playfulness also encourages the use of healthier coping mechanisms, such as acceptance and positive reframing.

The study revealed that while both playful and less playful adults may possess similar coping strategies, playful individuals are more effective in applying these strategies to manage stress in their daily lives.

3. Improves Physical Health

Adults who engage in play tend to lead more active lifestyles, contributing to better physical health. A 2016 study emphasized the importance of making physical activity enjoyable for adults. The researchers observed that, similar to children, adults are more likely to be naturally motivated to exercise when it feels fun, like playing in the water or jumping around. Essentially, when exercise is perceived as play rather than a chore, adults are more inclined to participate in it.

Additionally, a 2019 study found that incorporating daily play had several benefits for people with type 1 diabetes, such as:

• improved mood
• a stronger sense of support
• more open communication with partners about the impact of diabetes

Overall, the research clearly shows that play offers substantial advantages for both mental and physical health in adults.

How to Embrace More Playfulness

Unlike children, adults typically don’t have structured playtime in their daily routines. Therefore, it’s important to be deliberate about incorporating play into our lives. Here are some tips to help you bring more playfulness into your everyday routine.

1. Identify Your Play Personality

Dr. Stuart Brown, a researcher and founder of The National Institute for Play, has identified eight distinct “play personalities” to help you determine what types of play resonate with you:

• The Collector: You find joy in building collections, whether it’s stamps, vintage cars, or other items.
• The Competitor: You thrive on games with rules and goals, such as participating in a local soccer league or board games.
• The Creator or Artist: You take pleasure in creating or crafting, whether it’s doodling, woodworking, decorating, fixing machinery, or sewing.
• The Director: You enjoy organizing and orchestrating events, like hosting themed parties or planning gatherings.
• The Explorer: You seek out new experiences, whether it’s traveling to new places or discovering new genres of music.
• The Joker: You delight in humor and playfulness, whether through improv theater or simply making people laugh.
• The Kinesthete: You love physical activity as play, such as practicing yoga or taking a dance class.
• The Storyteller: You engage with stories, either by attending the theater, writing in a journal, or sharing tales with others.

2. Make Exercise Playful

One of the key advantages of incorporating play into your life as an adult is that it naturally increases physical activity, which comes with numerous mental health benefits.

Rather than treating exercise as a monotonous task, find enjoyable and playful ways to get moving. For example:

• Instead of swimming laps, organize a swimming or diving contest with friends or family.
• Swap a routine jog for a game of tag or ultimate frisbee.
• Trade weightlifting for a fun session at a rock climbing gym.

3. Adopt a Playful Mindset

Play is as much about your mental approach as it is about the activities you engage in.

According to Dr. Stuart Brown, two people can be throwing a ball back and forth, but only one might truly be experiencing play. Embracing the right mindset is crucial for being more playful.

In his book, Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, Dr. Brown describes the “play state” as a mental condition where you’re fully immersed in an activity that brings enjoyment and a sense of timelessness.

Aim to enter this playful mindset as frequently as possible to enhance your experience of play.

Take Away

Play offers a range of benefits for adults, enhancing both physical and mental health. It can make us feel more supported, increase physical activity, and boost life satisfaction. While many adults don’t incorporate enough play into their lives, you can start reaping these benefits by intentionally making time for playful activities.