If there were a magic solution to help adults reduce stress, improve relationships, keep their bodies strong, and reduce age-related cognitive decline, it would certainly be touted as a miracle of modern science. The good news is that this miracle solution already exists, and it has been used by humans for more than 4,000 years. The solution? Play!
The Oxford Dictionary defines play as “to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” While the purpose of play is simply for enjoyment, it has a wide variety of positive side effects. While we may think of play as being for kids, adults benefit as much as children do when they engage in quality play activities.
What exactly is “quality play?” Quality play for adults can take many forms. It seems clear that physical games such as pickleball or softball are good for improving cardiovascular and muscular health, but sports are also important for building relationships and honing our collaboration skills. Board games and puzzles can help with fine motor function which may have been impacted by arthritis or injuries, strengthen cognitive function, and maintain the social networks that are so important as we age. And most importantly, play should be fun!
A study by the psychology department at the University of Edinburgh found that adults between the ages of 70 and 80 who regularly played traditional games were half as likely to develop cognitive impairment. That’s because games work mental muscles such as memory and creative thinking. Adults who play games, either by themselves or with others, can expect to see improvement in their problem-solving skills and intuition. Additionally, just as with children, imaginative play can help adults see their worlds through different perspectives, leading to greater understanding.
Whether directly or not, society seems to say that play is for children, and at some point, we become “too old” to play. Luckily, science says that simply isn’t true. So how can adults reconnect to play? Everyone likes to play in different ways. Some may enjoy physical movement, others social play, others independent activities. Knowing what type of play feels the most fun is a great place to start. Thinking back to what kind of play excited us as children can help. If someone spent much of their childhood enjoying imaginative play, they might try turning to storytelling games or volunteer at a theater. If they were interested in puzzles and brain teasers as a kid, they might enjoy exploring the wide world of progressive challenge puzzles. Play can take many forms, from painting to running to traditional board games. The point is to have fun!
Once a person finds a form of play they enjoy, it’s important to incorporate it regularly into one’s schedule. Consider scheduling a regular game or puzzle night with friends or blocking time in your calendar every week to do something fun. Of course, play should never feel like a burden because then it stops being play and becomes just another “grown-up” chore.
As adults with many responsibilities, play can seem frivolous or silly, and it’s not always viewed as necessary for optimum health. However, humans are made for play! Sentience, creative thinking, and all the different ways a human body can move show that humans are biologically wired for play. There’s no such thing as “too old” to have fun, and anyone can reap the benefits of play at any age. With so many positive impacts on a person’s mind, body and spirit, making time for play might just keep us young!
Theresa Duncan and her father, Todd, two adults who refuse to grow up, own Villa Villekulla Toy Store on S. 2nd Street in downtown Fernandina Beach. As Certified Play Experts, they know that play is crucial at every stage of life, even adulthood. Villa Villekulla carries a wide selection of the highest quality toys to help make the world a better place through play.