Play is 'an essential part of a fulfilled life' - here's why you should do it more
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A recent study involving 2,000 adults has uncovered that a sobering 43% feel they've lost their sense of fun as they've aged, with the research indicating we tend to lose our playful spark by the age of 29. Six in ten wish they could ‘let go’ and allocate more time each week to entertaining themselves with more playful activities. However, they argue that other commitments stop them from doing so.
The main reasons behind this limited playtime include mounting responsibilities, a pressure to spend spare time being 'productive', as well as simply not having enough hours in the day to get involved in anything that isn't considered a serious matter.
More than half of those surveyed reckon as adults we don't appreciate the important of play enough. Even though, the research shows that playful activities can actually help reduce stress. Two-thirds of respondents who regularly do more playful activities say they are a lifeline for stress relief, and whether they are playing board games, video gaming, or attending quiz and trivia nights, 47% also say such activities help them manage tough emotions.
These benefits are highlighted by Dr Stuart Brown from the National Institute for Play who has teamed up with PAPAYA, an online gaming app which sponsored the study, to explain why. "Play is a powerful tool for building social connections, enhancing mental well-being, and fostering creative problem-solving skills that benefit our personal and work lives," declared Dr Brown.
