Introduction to Play Resistance
Have you traded the freedom of play for the confines of productivity? That bargain may be costing you more than you realize. According to one expert, unstructured play is one of the easiest ways to boost mental health, relieve stress and reconnect with the nourishing influence of our own inner child.
The Importance of Play
“Everyone benefits from playing,” Cas Holman, author of the upcoming book Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, told The Post. Unstructured play is one of the easiest ways to boost mental health, relieve stress, and reconnect with the nourishing influence of our own inner child. DisobeyArt – stock.adobe.com
He said that adults, in particular, need to engage in activities for the sheer joy of it, as most of us start skipping unstructured play around age 9. “We’re overly focused on productivity and outcomes, so we don’t listen to the part of ourselves that wants to be silly in a meeting, explore a new route to work, or dance around in the kitchen while we do dishes,” he explained.
The Consequences of Play Resistance
When we concern ourselves with what others think, Holman noted, it prevents our pursuit of play — an inhibition that can seriously affect our overall well-being. “Play is how we learn to be human, how we learn who we are, how we learn to fail, communicate, love, fight, rebel, desire, build and survive,” he said. “At its best, play is life-affirming, soul-sustaining, and mind-expanding. A life devoid of play is detrimental to our psychological, emotional, and physical health.” Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com
Five Signs You Are Play-Resistant
How do you know if you’re “play-resistant”? According to Holman, there are five signs.
- Your idea of fun is checking things off a to-do list.
- You feel guilty when you take a break.
- You can’t remember the last time you laughed without a reason.
- You think “play” is for kids or weekends only.
- You’re always “busy,” but never “happy.”
The Benefits of Play
Studies have shown that a playful mindset makes people more adaptable, resilient and creative, while animal models indicate that play can make mammals more resistant to illness. Most of the adults Holman has encountered in the past two decades want to play but feel out of touch with that part of themselves. “I’d describe them as ‘play-curious’ or ‘play-hesitant’. They want to embrace it as part of their daily lives but aren’t sure how to,” he said.
Reconnecting with Play
For those who want to reconnect with the spirit of play, Holman recommends allotting 10 minutes each day to something that feels fun, not productive. According to Holman, play is not only an action, but an approach that can be applied to the most mundane of tasks. Dragana Gordic – stock.adobe.com
“Dance in your living room. Draw doodles. Call a friend just to chat. The goal isn’t to accomplish anything — it’s to reconnect with joy,” he advised. Holman recommends starting with a specific “play memory.” “Just remembering an instance of play from your childhood will help you connect with the power of play, which in turn will help you prioritize it,” he explained.
Infusing Life with Play
To further infuse your life with the healthy levity of play, Holman recommends the following strategies.
- Release judgment: “Trust those around you not to judge you- and mostly trust yourself. We can be our own harshest critic. Let yourself play.”
- Embrace possibility: “Be open to what might happen rather than attached to what you expect or know. Being outcome-oriented can make things stressful and not very playful.”
- Reframe success: “Ask yourself what you are really after. Do you need to finish the hike in under an hour, or can you chase that chipmunk, notice the moss, and giggle at strange birds instead? You don’t need to ‘win’ the hike!”
Conclusion
In conclusion, play is an essential part of our lives that can have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. By recognizing the signs of play resistance and making a conscious effort to incorporate play into our daily lives, we can improve our adaptability, resilience, and creativity. So, take a break from productivity and let yourself play – your mind and body will thank you.
FAQs
Q: What is play resistance?
A: Play resistance refers to the tendency to avoid or resist engaging in playful activities, often due to concerns about productivity, outcomes, or what others might think.
Q: How can I reconnect with play?
A: Start by allotting 10 minutes each day to something that feels fun, not productive. Try to remember a specific “play memory” from your childhood, and use that as a starting point to prioritize play in your life.
Q: What are the benefits of play?
A: Play can improve mental health, relieve stress, and increase adaptability, resilience, and creativity. It can also make us more resistant to illness and improve our overall well-being.
