The Serious Need for Play

"Free imaginative play is crucial for normal, social, emotional, and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter, and less stressed." -Melinda Wenner

Studies have shown a direct correlation with the lack of free play in childhood to adult anxiety and stress. While you might play a soccer game or sudoku on the train, free play is defined as play without an agenda, priory rules, or time constraints. This type of unstructured play promotes mental and physical well being in adults the same as in children. Play instills a new sense of happiness and encourages flexibility and creativity in everyday situations. Having play time might allow you to better function on the job, be more clear headed throughout the day, and give you added motivation to be healthier.


This idea might seem completely impossible to some adults. How do you play after not playing for over 20 years? Here are a couple easy ways to start.

-Try to do an active movement, with no time pressures and no expected outcomes.
EXERCISING TO BURN FAT IS NOT PLAY
-Create Something...Anything. Not for any specific outcome.
-Spend time around children.
-Engage in purposeless social activities or conversations.
-Go outside.


Better late than never...time to have playtime again.
"Curiosity, imagination, and creativity are like muscles, if you don't use them you loose them."
-David Elkind




The Serious Need for Play
Melinda Wenner
Scientific American Mind
February/March 2009