Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of play for adults, linking it to improved mental and physical health, creativity, and leadership skills.

Abstract

The article "The Importance of Play as an Adult" delves into why play is crucial for personal and professional success among adults. It argues that play is not just a childhood activity but a therapeutic and restorative exercise for adults, essential for maintaining mental health, fostering creativity, and enhancing problem-solving abilities. The article highlights the stress-relieving and physically beneficial aspects of play, suggesting that it can counteract the sedentary lifestyle prevalent among working adults. It also suggests that play contributes to the development of skills necessary for effective leadership, such as those exhibited by passion-struck leaders. The article concludes by encouraging adults to find their own form of play, whether it be through physical activities, hobbies, or games, to achieve a rejuvenating balance in life.

Opinions

The author believes that adults often neglect play, which is detrimental to their ability to lead, maintain relationships, and parent effectively.
Play for adults is seen as a means to develop and maintain cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills, rather than learning these skills as children do.
The article posits that play helps alleviate stress, particularly in light of recent global events and the isolation experienced from remote work.
It is suggested that play can improve physical health, countering the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, which is a common issue among Americans.
The author is of the opinion that play stimulates creativity and imagination, leading to increased problem-solving capabilities and innovative thinking.
The article emphasizes that play is subjective and what constitutes playful activity varies greatly from person to person.
It is implied that incorporating play into one's life can prevent burnout and help individuals achieve their goals.
The author shares personal preferences for play, which include live music and physical activities like paddle boarding and cycling, and encour

The Importance of Play as an Adult

Why play is vitally important to the success of future leaders

When we think of playing, we hark back to our childhood days of messing around on the beach, playing tag at recess, or spending hours with dolls or toys, walking them through entirely fictional scenarios. But as we grow older, we seem to lose that willingness to play, which can be detrimental to our ability to lead others, maintain meaningful relationships, and parent our children. This is becoming even more apparent with the speed of the all-digital brave new world we are living in.

Which begs the question, when was the last time you played?

If you’re scratching your head when trying to answer that question, then it may be the case that you’re in desperate need of a ‘play session.’ I’ll get into what play looks like as an adult shortly. But first, let’s discuss why play is so beneficial for adults specifically, as opposed to the children with which we most associate the concept.

Playing as an Adult Vs. Playing as a Child

When children engage in play, they are actively developing their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills without realizing it. One we reach a certain age; however, those skills develop to the extent that playing in a sandbox or throwing a ball around no longer seems appropriate. But when we lose play through the transition into adulthood, we miss out on several different benefits.

When we reach adulthood, we no longer need to indulge in play to develop specific social or emotional skills (although some will argue that they know some adults in desperate need of further development!).

Instead, as adults, the act of playing transforms into a therapeutic and restorative exercise.

By engaging in play as an adult, you can reap the associated benefits, so let’s take a closer look at them.

Benefits of Play as an Adult

There are many advantages to be gained from letting loose and ‘playing’ every once in a while. Indeed, too many to cover within this article. However, let’s take a quick look at the most prominent benefits.

First and foremost, taking a break from it all to merely engage in play is beneficial for your mental health above all else. I’ve already spoken about how 2020 has developed your character, and mental health is of utmost concern to most of us, given what’s has unfolded around us.

The stress-inducing recent world events or the isolation of working from home for several months is enough to test anybody. But by saying yes to play, you can alleviate stress and hit the reset button. You see, the mere act of enjoying your ‘playtime’ releases endorphins, giving us that ‘natural high’ feeling. Perfect for getting yourself out of a rut and boosting your overall well-being.

However, your benefits can be physical too. By physically moving around while playing, you can elevate your heart rate, strengthen your muscles, and reap the physical health rewards of being more active. With 81% of Americans sitting at their desk all day, every day, there’s never been a more critical time to focus on your physical health.

But perhaps equally important is the way play can spark your creativity and passion. When we engage in playful activities, we stimulate our creative minds and increase our imagination, which helps us spark new ideas, learn how to complete new tasks, and solve problems faster. These are all crucial skills that make up a passion-struck leader.

Without play as an adult, you miss the opportunity to refresh, rejuvenate, and revitalize yourself. Instead, you’re likely going to end up burning out and falling well short of your goals and objectives.

What Does Play Look Like for an Adult?

What’s so fantastic about playing as an adult is that it’s very much a case of each to their own. What works for you may infuriate someone else. It’s all about doing what you enjoy for an extended period, so you can briefly forget about the world around you.

For international soccer star David Beckham, it’s playing with Legos. For Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon it is using his creative mind to develop fun games for he and his guests. For actors Samuel L. Jackson and Daniel Craig it is playing video games, especially the Grand Theft Auto series. For others, it may be going on a 5-hour hike every weekend in the wilderness.

The most important element is that the choice is yours.

Personally, I have many go-to activities that give me the rejuvenating boost and balance I need. I love music, and in particular live music (maybe not so much lately), which takes up a significant chunk of my’ normal playtime.’ But a lot of my play is physical too, such as paddle boarding on the ocean, sweating my way through a spin class or long bike ride, hiking to a waterfall, or sailing to my heart’s content.

The point is, you find a playful activity that works for YOU. In many instances, you may be surprised by which activity gives you the most in terms of a mental and physical boost. It might not always be obvious, so don’t be afraid to try something new in your pursuit of play.

John R. Miles is an entrepreneur, multi-industry CEO, Combat Veteran, and Fortune 40 CIO and CISO. Through these experiences, he has become a leading authority on leadership, digital and data transformations, customer experience, innovative thinking, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. He is on a life-long mission to enable the underdogs to become a passion struck to the point of breakthrough in life and career.