The Psychological Importance of Playfulness
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
By: Emma Schutzius, LSW
Can you think of the last time you did something purely for fun, with no expectations or end goal? These actions are a form of “play”, defined by psychologists as activities that are voluntary, enjoyable, and done for their own sake—not for an external reward or outcome (Burghardt, 2011).
Adulthood is a stage of life that often becomes synonymous with responsibility, deadlines, and work. There is little room for play when prioritizing efficiency. However, psychology and neuroscience make a strong case to suggest that allowing time for play in your life can actually support you in reaching your goals rather than holding you back from them.
Play is distinct from pure leisure activities as its role is not passive. Play actively supports brain development, boosts creativity, promotes stress-relief, and strengthens emotional well-being. It is also a vital avenue for teaching skills and creating social bonds. The benefits of play are popularly recognized for their vital role in children’s development, but not as often thought of when it comes to the wellbeing of adults.
Yet play has been identified as one of the brain’s most important emotional regulation systems. During play activities, the brain releases dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin, all chemicals associated with happiness, satisfaction, and bonding. These neurochemicals reinforce positive social behavior and reduce stress, (Panksepp, 1998). In short, humans are biologically wired to engage in play. It serves as a natural and positive means of discovering the world around us and engaging with new experiences in a way that feels safe.
Play comes in many forms across different domains of life: physical, social, intellectual, and imaginative. Whether you are engaging with team sports, dancing, playing table top games, telling stories, or simply joking around with friends, you are participating in play. Every moment of which has the potential to drive your personal growth and promote your psychological resilience. Play fuels innovation by encouraging flexibility and experimentation. When you play, you are able to take risks without fear of failure, which can help promote optimism and decrease anxiety in the long term.
In a world obsessed with productivity, reclaiming your right to play may be one of the most productive things you can do. So the next time someone tells you off for playing around, you can assure them that your therapist recommended it!
References:
Burghardt, G. M. (2011). Defining and recognizing play. In A. D. Pellegrini (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of the development of play (pp. 9–18). Oxford University Press.
Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford University Press.