Why You Need to Play Today

"When was the last time you played? Not a sport or a video game, but just silly, nondirective play without a goal or objective in mind. Play has been shown to contribute to overall health and well-being, but not just for children-adults need play, too (Thompson et al., 2025). Play has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce stress, promote cognitive growth and emotional resilience, and even bolster social skills (Dodd et al., 2022; Ho, 2022)."

"Play is not something we "grow out of"; rather, social norms stifle our natural need for playfulness. Cas Holman, author of the new book Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, found that a playful mood improves creativity and problem-solving in adults (Isen et al., 1987). On the other hand, the pressure to be creative actually hinders creativity-the more we feel that we must look good and perform well, the worse we actually do (Amabile & Pillemer, 2012)."

"Like all children, play was formative in my development, and mine was largely outdoors and self-directed. My family had many transitions-divorces, moving, step-siblings coming and going, all while quite poor. Because my mother had to work long hours, I had a lot of freedom and spent most afternoons playing in the woods of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Without that rich play life, I would have a very different impression of my childhood. This is to say-play got me through what might have"

Adults benefit from nondirective, silly play without goals, which contributes to overall health and well-being and is not limited to children. Play reduces anxiety, depression, and stress, promotes cognitive growth and emotional resilience, and strengthens social skills. Social norms often suppress natural playfulness rather than play being outgrown. Playful moods improve creativity and problem solving in adults, while pressure to perform hinders creativity. Rediscovering play in adulthood can be rewarding. Early self-directed outdoor play can shape development and provide coping during family instability. Regularly reconnecting with playful activities supports mental health, creative thinking, and social connection.

Read at Psychology Today