Learn to Play (Again), and You Learn to Grow
Writer Diane Ackerman had this to say about this week’s topic: “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”
Unfortunately, we adults too often get so immersed in our responsibilities that we forget the value of play. As children, we learned through play, and we grew through play. It wasn’t just fun and entertainment. Through play, children learn how to use their imaginations, cooperate with others, achieve goals, and much more. There’s no reason why that has to stop after we grow up. And that’s why we chose “play” as one of the topics for this month’s theme of “You Have the Power to Grow.”
For one thing, play is a great stress reducer, and at Courage to Caregivers, we’re all about reducing stress. We also continue to learn through play, no matter how old we are. It can help us develop our problem-solving skills, tap into our creativity, and re-engage our imaginations. And as implied by the quote above, our brain loves it when we’re learning something and doing something enjoyable at the same time.
Our brain also loves to read tips and lists, so here are five tips to be more playful:
Use memories. Think of the kinds of things you liked to do when you played as a child. Rediscover your wonder.
Be spontaneous. Find micro-moments throughout your day to play.
Explore. Try something new; learn a new hobby; discover something new that brings you joy.
Make it social. Play games with friends; join a club; get involved in team sports. Ask a friend to join you in pursuit of a new activity or to rediscover an old one. Or invite someone you’ve been wanting to get to know better to join you.
Notice. Stop and smell the roses; practice mindfulness.
And this month, I’ll add a sixth tip to that list: Join us in our Move With Courage challenge, which encourages movement of ANY kind, including play, with the goal of reaping the benefits of movement to improve our physical and mental health.
Just a few minutes of play can reconnect us to the carefree joy of childhood, and prioritizing play in our lives can do wonders for our mood and our energy. The endorphins that our brains release during play can even help reduce pain.
So, empower yourself and your growth, and set aside some time for YOU to play today.