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The Importance of Play in Adult Mental Health and Well-Being
The Importance of Play in Adult Mental Health and Well-Being
The importance of play is often emphasized in child development. You get to meet new people, navigate your emotions, learn about empathy and build new relationships. While all those things are true, many tend to underestimate the impact of play on adults.
What play contributes to adult mental health
Many people permanently pause play as they get older to focus on their careers, families and other responsibilities. However, it may do more harm than good when it comes to your mental health.
Start playing again to get these benefits:
Stress relief
It can be challenging to juggle work, family, relationships and more. The more responsibilities that come up, the less energy there seems to be to just have fun. However, drowning yourself in those obligations can build up pressure.
Indulge yourself with play from time to time. About 22% of adults exercise or engage in sports to manage their stress, while 24% play online games. Play can release tension and reduce anxiety moving forward.
Enhanced mood
Exercise — especially when it’s high-intensity — triggers the body’s feel-good chemicals called endorphins. You get to experience that sudden rush or runner’s high that adds brightness to your life.
That said, you should also practice having low-intensity exercises over time. Consistency may help regulate your feelings and reduce symptoms of depression. It also does wonders for your energy levels and sleep quality.
Sharpened brain function
As you age, your cognitive abilities may naturally change, whether it’s attention, memory or reasoning. Thankfully, play can help address this.
A study found that older adults can catch up to the cognitive processes of younger folks when they engage in gameplay and cognitive training.
Self-discovery insights
Children are encouraged to play partly because it helps them learn about themselves, form their own identity and figure out their interests. While these benefits are important for kids, going through a variety of changes as you age can also create a sense of disconnection from who you are.
Engaging in different forms of play can help adults navigate their changing identities, narrowing down their likes and dislikes. Whether it’s picking up old hobbies or exploring new ones, adding play to your life can kick-start your intrapersonal development.
Boosted self-confidence
Some people struggle with their mental health due to a lack of self-esteem. Play can increase your self-confidence by presenting a challenge and allowing you to overcome it. When you get that sense of accomplishment, your confidence skyrockets.
For example, maybe you’re trying to figure out a complex puzzle for the first time. The unknown can make you doubt yourself. However, once you let go, enjoy the process and discover how it works, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.
Increased socialization
While you can indulge in play alone, it’s also possible to bring other people into the mix. A survey found that about 36% of people feel lonely. Human connection can be an essential ingredient for mental health and even sleep quality.
Spending time playing with friends, family and community members enriches your life with other people’s presence. You can make new friends and deepen your existing social connections for more meaningful relationships.
Higher energy levels
Many people experience less energy as they grow older. Along with changes to the body, stressors from work or familial obligations can feel draining. Play is a chance to discover your vigor and enrich your days with renewed energy. Care for your inner child by introducing more playful activities into your life.
Aside from being physically energetic, you’re also investing in your mental energy. Entering new and exciting environments drives you to use your creativity and imagination. You get a sense of fulfillment as you’re filled with new ideas.
How to Play as an adult
After understanding the importance of play in adult mental health, the next step is uncovering how you can incorporate play into your routines.
- Schedule time to play: While playing spontaneously may match your energy levels, you may need to pencil it into your schedule. Life can get busy, so making time for play and all the other things that matter can help you find more success in actually engaging in them.
- Take part in sports: Look for different sports to try, from badminton and pickleball to golf and ultimate frisbee. Swimming is also a great activity — water supports up to 75% of your weight, which minimizes impact while maximizing mobility. You can also dabble in cycling or dance to work on your joint health.
- Play board games: Board games are a fun way to incorporate play into your life. There are tons of titles you can explore with friends and family. Set up a weekly or biweekly game night to keep the fun going. Couch video games are also a great option.
- Visit activity-based spaces: Take a walk and visit public spaces where you can try out different activities. Places like the waterpark, playground or interactive museums offer great opportunities to play. See if your local libraries or museums host craft workshops. They’re a great way to learn a new skill and make new friends.
- Gamify your tasks: Add some unconventional fun to your daily activities by gamifying them. You can list chores on paper for the week and give yourself a point when doing them. Once you’ve reached a certain number of points, get yourself a treat.
- Try gardening: Get outside and start your own garden. People with a connection to nature experience lower levels of stress and anxiety. Plus, you get to work on developing a green thumb and learning more about plants.
- Hold themed get-togethers: Invite your loved ones over with a party theme. You can have everybody come in fairy costumes for a fancy brunch outdoors, or get everyone into silly onesies for dinner and a movie night.
Recognize the importance of play
Play can be much more important to your mental and emotional well-being than you think. It’s an avenue to relieve stress and sharpen your mind. Recognize its impact and follow the tips above to integrate it into your daily life.
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Author Bio
Mia is a professional freelance writer and researcher specializing in mental health, self-care, and mindfulness. She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the healthy-living magazine, Body+Mind. Knowledge is power, and Mia’s goal is to provide science-backed wellness information to empower her readers.
