A Case for Playfulness: Why you need a Day of Play

Are you so stressed, overworked, and exhausted? Are you burnt out and feel like you have reached your breaking point? Are you irritable and snapping at everyone, even those you love? 

Most people are feeling more stressed than they ever have before. People are overwhelmed in many areas of their lives, and for understanding reasons. We’ve all had more than enough overwhelming situations this past year. 

Stress impacts our immune system though, so it is incredibly important to be aware of your stress levels and check in about how significant they might be getting. Self-care is a big part of managing stress. I wrote about this recently, you can find it here.

Why do we need play?

A wonderful way to combat stress is play! As children, we played and explored the world around us with curiosity. This led to a sense of wonder about the world, a sense of discovery through experiments and noticing what happens or how something works if you do x, y, or z. There were toys involved, bright colors, and nature. There were different materials you played with, like cardboard, paint, markers, wood and sticks, crayons, dirt, sand, glue, salt, and so much more. Using your hands and getting messy can be good for you. 

When we are in a state of play different part of our brain get activated. This can be powerful to break up the routines our brains create, and stimulate new areas, which can lead to powerful breakthroughs! 

In fact... 

“Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain—unless done with play, in which case, it takes between 10-20 repetitions.” --Dr. Karyn Purvis

The implication of this is that we can literally create new brain synapses, and how they will then fire together, all through play! This can help us connect more deeply to ourselves, our loved ones, to our hearts, to our soul’s purpose (which I truly believe it to play, to have fun, to explore with a light and neutral heart), and so much more!

How can you add more play to your life?

For the past few weeks, I have picked a weekend day to dedicate to, what I call, a Day of Play. During this day, everything is done with playfulness and lightheartedness, even chores. 

If I am washing dishes, then I have music on and I am dancing and singing along. For this I love listening to music I enjoyed when I was a kid, so I can connect to the playfulness of what childhood is meant to be. So for me, that is likely Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Spice Girls. Dance and music are great ways to play with our bodies! To move as the music moves, to feel the music in your body, in your heart. Try singing in different harmonies and be silly with it.  

I may make art that day. I love using lots of different materials like acrylic paints and watercolors, with paint pens, markers, feathers, and glitter. I recommend using eco-friendly glitter (I am using up the last of my metallic glitter, which I learned ends us in places it shouldn’t, like our body and the ocean!). You can use collage images from magazines, or look up inspiration online or in different books or magazines. If you do not feel you are creatively inclined, I recommend something I call “Trash Can Art,” which simply means, artwork made for the purpose of throwing away. It’s just about experimenting and having fun with how materials work together. Sometimes when I go in with this mindset, it allows me to drop expectations of how something should turn our or how I want it to be and just allow it to be whatever it wants to. Knowing I can always throw it away takes the pressure off. Usually though, when I make Trash Can art, I end up having something magical happen in my experimentation. Give it a try and see what shows up for you! 

Play might involve power tools and woodworking to complete projects around your home. Play might include getting your hands dirty, and gardening or pruning succulents and house plants. It might be baking cupcakes or trying a new, fun recipe you have been wanting to make. Maybe you play through embroidery or knitting. It might include building model rockets, cars, or playing with Legos. You can build your own Death Star, Hogwarts Castle, or simply free play. You don’t have to have kids to do these kinds of activities! I have a friend who builds Legos together with her boyfriend and it’s one of the ways they bond and connect. You could have a pillow fight or a water balloon fight with your partner or your kids. Winner gets to pick that night's dinner or movie! 

Intimacy with a safe partner can also be a grown-up way to play that can also strengthen your relationship. Dress us, role-play, and time being goofy and laughing together can help you connect with each other. It doesn’t always have to be sexual, but it certainly can be. It might be trying new positions or including new toys. This can be a great way to connect with each other, as you blow off steam together, and add a different dynamic to the intimacy of your relationship. Intimate play can help us reclaim our sacred sexuality and work through trauma with a patient and supportive partner. How can you include play in a safe way in your relationship? 

With the stress of the past year plus, we all need more play than ever. To balance out the heaviness of the energies we have been experiencing, we need to feel into lighter states of being. It is important to be intentional about letting loose, exploring, and having fun while doing it. These more light-hearted states will help you relax and connect more deeply to others if you include them in play with you. There has been so much tension and play is a great way to break it. Have a water balloon fight or a pillow fight. Laughter is such good medicine! Play with your friends, your kids, your partner, your parents!  

Can you commit to a Day of Play each week or even each month? Maybe this idea sounds thrilling to you, and maybe it sounds terrifying to let yourself be so free. Whatever it brings up, I hope you give it a chance! If you would like help to incorporate more play in, learn more here.

Sarah Lustig is a Licensed Therapist in Colorado and a Holistic and Spiritual Coach living in Asheville, North Carolina. She is the owner of a Nurtured Essence, a healing center, aimed at helping people overcome their fears and live with more purpose and lightness. She specializes in working with wounded healers, empaths, and lightworkers.