Most parents understand the benefits of play on mental health and how it helps their children acquire essential life skills. But did you realize that fun activities are also crucial for adults?
Fun has many benefits, including reducing depression, and career stress, better relationships, and improved mental health.
When you hear the term “play,” you usually envision a group of youngsters running about, laughing and cheering as they chase a bright ball.
But the play goes beyond all of that, and it is not limited to a specific age range. Play is just participating in activities for enjoyment and recreation, which can reduce anxiety.
Play is for everyone
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron admits to playing games like Angry Birds on his phone to unwind after a long day.
Soccer player David Beckham said Lego sets saved his life by acting as psychological testing for brain damage he got in a plane accident. Barack Obama stated that he relaxes by playing basketball or golf.
Aside from the fact that it is something you like, the best thing about playing is that it benefits your general wellness and influences your health.
For actors or athletes, the benefits of play are numerous as it can improve their acting performance psychology.
In addition, it can boost your creativity, emotional well-being, and problem-solving abilities.
It is Vital to Your Health
Play is vital in our development as children, and it remains an essential part of life into adulthood.
Davenport Psychology, with one of the finest Sarasota psychologists in the person of Dr. Charles Davenport, highlighted that fun activities are beneficial to individuals and married couples.
If you’re looking to boost your relationship with your spouse, try introducing some fun activities mentioned by Dr. Charles, who has been a Sarasota marriage counselor for more than a decade.
Outlined below are some benefits of play on mental health, both physically and mentally.
- Improves memory
Playing games can improve our capacity to learn new things and help us remember old information.
Research suggests that playing memory-based games—like puzzles or online word games—helps train our brains to more easily recall everyday information.
In a study, older adults who played a version of Tetris reported less confusion and had better attention and memory over time than those who didn’t play.
- Prevents depression
A common misconception is that adults do not need play. Indeed, we generally outgrow many games from childhood, but physical activity—one of life’s most critical elements—is a form of play.
Moving our bodies and challenging ourselves physically and mentally may help prevent depression. It can even help people recover from stress.
- Reduces stress
Research has shown that stress-related problems link up with weight gain, decreased sleep quality, and other factors in adults. Taking time to unwind can help prevent these issues.
Incorporating playtime into your life will likely help you reduce stress levels, among other things. Enjoying yourself may also make you more attractive.
Research has shown that happy people are seen as more attractive than less happy individuals, encouraging others to be more welcoming toward you.
More Productivity
fun activities can help adults become more productive. It allows adults to explore and learn in a free-form way, which we tend to lose as adults (either by our choice or by external pressures).
It makes us more open to new ways of thinking, which helps us solve problems creatively and discover new opportunities.
Play can also boost our creativity and encourage innovation, fostering a better work environment where people are more inspired and engaged.
In addition, research has shown that innovative companies have a more playful culture.
Play For Adults Promotes Vitality
Fun is distinct in that it “generates optimism, craves novelty, makes endurance enjoyable, leads to mastery, provides the immune system a bounce, and builds empathy.” Play can also help to foster a sense of community.
Outdoor leisure and play, for example, are important components of certain drug and alcohol treatment clinics’ rehabilitation programs. It’s a technique to pique a person’s interest in sober activities.
Adventure therapy, for example, encourages participants to participate in outdoor activities while collaborating with others to problem solve and conquer difficulties.
And while it is part of therapy, it is also a type of play that helps people work on their addiction while having fun.
Outdoor leisure advantages include greater attention span, improved relaxation, less anxiety, lower blood pressure, and a lower chance of depression.
Adventure therapy is just a phrase for what is known as experiential education. Play is no exception. While playing, you may gain life skills and enhance your health.
Wrap up
The bottom line is that getting in touch with your inner child is good for you. And the benefits of leisure activities on mental health cannot be overemphasized.
It helps you reconnect with yourself, have some fun, and look at life differently. We need to remember what it was like when we were kids if we will truly grow up.
So make time every day for some fun activity so that you can live a longer and happier life.
Nevertheless, if you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, career stress, or battling your marriage, reach out to a local psychologist in Sarasota, Florida.