For some adults, the word ‘play’ reminds them of make-believe stories and tea parties with stuffed animals: activities reserved for childhood. While video games and social media challenges seem to fit the bill as ‘fun’, many shy away from veering too far into silliness, fearing it might seem immature for adult life.
Famous figures have often commented on the importance of a little whimsy. As serious as some of his writings are, George Bernard Shaw once stated, ‘We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing’. And science supports these theories. Although we’re constantly reminded to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat healthily, playful activities are often missing pieces of the puzzle.
After all, could you imagine following a strict work routine, going to the gym and sleeping, all without belly laughing, goofing around, and doing things without an agenda?
The Brain Benefits of Play for Adults
Play makes us feel good; there’s no doubt about that. But what does it do in our brains and bodies? A common misconception is that engaging in play is frivolous and takes away from adult responsibilities. But research is teeming with evidence that adult playfulness has numerous mental health benefits.
When we engage in any light-hearted activity, a handful of brain regions are activated, all relating to emotional regulation, relaxation, focus, and pleasure. As a result, creative hobbies, moments of silliness and casual games help shield us from stress and overwhelm and let us decompress. In the long term, fun can improve our creative problem-solving, cognitive flexibility and even our outlook on life.
Beyond ourselves, play is also a vehicle for improving our relationships. When we engage in activity with other people, our brains release a hormone called oxytocin, which is associated with love, trust and social bonding. It influences our social interactions and mood and consequently has positive effects on our body’s immune and autonomic systems. So, other than simply recharging our mental batteries, we also enrich our interactions with people and bolster our social and emotional skills.
Because modern-day life is so consumed with deadlines, obligations, and constant digital connection, making time for play might seem like a lower priority or an indulgence we can’t afford. But according to Dr. Stuart Brown, psychiatrist and founder of the nonprofit National Institute for Play, play is a built-in need and instinct for animals.
Essentially, having fun is a natural phenomenon. In deep, monotonous work, we want to incorporate fun and pleasure. We might take a short dance break after completing an assignment or doodle while brainstorming. Brown encourages us to incorporate more playfulness in everything we do, considering that it’s such an important part of being human.
Mindful Moments of Fun
Years into the 2020s, we’ve realised that our attention spans are shorter and our desire for temporary escapes is heightened. Doomscrolling is commonplace, picking up and putting down our phones is a habit and immersing ourselves in mindless social media commentary without realising where the time has gone is an everyday activity. While digital distractions aren’t inherently harmful in small doses, having them take over your life can often make you feel distracted and anxious.
When we choose purposeful distractions and mindfully consider how they fit into our lives, we can turn those draining moments into moments that serve us instead. It’s all about redefining what it means to ‘take a break’ and ‘enjoy some downtime’, rather than demonising certain activities and putting others on a pedestal.
The rule of thumb is that purposeful distractions should be low-pressure. Perhaps a puzzle or colouring book tickles your fancy, or painting or playing a low-effort mobile game is more your style. Whatever the distraction, it should engage your brain without overstimulation and allow a natural reset of your creativity and focus. It’s almost like emulating the effect of breathing exercises or meditating to a spa playlist. These experiences provide the benefit of pairing light mental engagement with a sense of calm for the nervous system. Mindful moments should be restorative, not unintentionally distracting.
Casual Games with Serious Benefits
While much of the world has stereotyped digital play as the enemy, it can actually provide many of the same effects when approached intentionally. Ever heard the phrase ‘it’s what you make of it’? That applies here. Plenty of apps and experiences online encourage healthy, playful engagement for adults via a modern avenue. For example:
- Jackbox Party Packs foster connection with family, friends or workmates,
- Lumosity challenges the brain with casual puzzle games. Some even choose to spend their free time exploring games of chance.
Classic games like slots and roulette provide short, engaging sessions of fun, with variable outcomes and flashy visuals that are all too alluring. With gamification elements baked in and the potential of surprise and reward, they’re a highly accessible form of digital fun. Platforms like CanadaCasino even offer bonus codes that let users play with a smaller financial commitment. No-deposit offers and free spins give people a lower-risk entry point for play and see it as a way to unwind rather than getting a return on their investment. That way, gambling doesn’t have to be solely for those with abundant disposable income.
Bonus browsing and looking for casino perks make online gambling much more intentional. They frame the overall experience as thoughtful, low-pressure entertainment rather than mindless play, especially for games that rely primarily on chance.
Where Leisure Meets Purpose
Micro-escapes can clearly be powerful, no matter what genre or medium they take. What matters most, as we’ve learned, is the intention behind them and how they’re incorporated into our daily lives. A warning sign? When we rely on them as a way to avoid responsibilities or suppress uncomfortable emotions. Finding that genuine relaxation in play is all about setting boundaries and reflecting on your actions.
Before venturing into leisure activities, take a moment to allocate a fixed time for play. Maybe 10 minutes will do for a mindfulness session, or 15 for a quick round of live poker. That way, you’re less likely to get carried away and let downtime stretch into hours of distraction. Don’t forget to use the tools at your disposal. Digital apps like app timers and reminders can help reinforce these limits and return to any pressing responsibilities refreshed.
As for reflection, always ask yourself what you’re using this break for. Are you using it as a reset, or are you actively avoiding something else? Little checks here and there can redirect your attention and foster a more purposeful break. Start consciously incorporating these micro-escapes into your routine, and you’ll see just how play and light entertainment can serve you without making you feel guilty.
Making Play Part of Your Routine, No Matter Your Age
It’s time to stop treating play as just for kids and give it its whole place in adult life. Especially when approached with intention and mindfulness, anything from digital games to walks in the park and low-commitment distractions can provide the joy, connection and reset we deserve. The value of play has been studied and proven to support cognitive, emotional and social health, so why not reclaim that joy and experience that nostalgic joy daily?
Let’s invite curiosity and childlike wonder into our everyday routines and see where it takes us.