How did we all get so busy? Think about when you were a child – the days stretched out, the weekends lasted forever, and as for school vacations, they seemed never-ending. Now life is a blink and you’ll miss it affair, and the days go by in a flash.
Perhaps the solution is to think back to those good old childhood days and think about what we did then that we don’t do now – that could be what makes the difference. There are probably quite a few possibilities here, but one that stands out is the fact that as adults, we don’t play anymore – or at least, we don’t play very much.
Could it be that playing more makes a difference and helps us not only to enjoy life more, but to slow things down and relax? The fact is that playing isn’t just for children, but as adults, we tend to forget that and even forget how to play altogether. If you could remember what to do and find some things that give you joy, how different (and more positive) would your life be? Well, if you want to find out, here are a few ideas to help you play more.
The Benefits Of Play For Adults
Before we look at the specifics, it’s not a bad idea to think about what the benefits of play for adults actually are – that might motivate you to get started. The fact is that play is a natural thing – children aren’t taught to do it, they just do – and it’s something that can stimulate creativity, reduce stress, and even improve how well your brain functions, so it’s definitely worth considering. And when adults play, studies have shown that they can become better at problem-solving, they become more relaxed, and they can even enhance their social connections, which can be a huge benefit.
Playing, in whatever way works for you, releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and they work at combatting depression and stress. To make things even better, when you play, you’ll be in a more mindful state where time seems to disappear because you’re completely engrossed in what you’re doing – that’s another way to de-stress. As you can see, playing has a lot of benefits, and it could be exactly what you need to add to your life; here are some ideas to think about.
Board Games
One route you could go down when it comes to playing as an adult is board games, and interestingly enough, board games have become a lot more popular in recent years – that could be because adults realize that playing is a good thing and they decide to relive their youth through those familiar games, or it could be that they realize they need to get away from screens for a while, so they’ve chosen board games as a good option. Whatever the reason, it might be the right option for you as well.
The fact is that board games are amazing at giving you a chance to play more, and they offer a fantastic way to socialize, make your brain work, and have some fun with family and friends (although there are some board games you can play by yourself, particularly card games, most need at least two people), so what else could be better? Whether you enjoy Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, chess, or anything else – and there are plenty to choose from – board games give you a structured way to challenge your mind and connect with other people, which is perfect.
You’ll also learn some lessons when you play board games on a regular basis – you’ll learn about patience, problem-solving, critical thinking, and you might even improve your memory, so if it’s time to stock up on some games, why not go ahead?
Video Games
If board games aren’t your thing, or you like them but want to do something else as well, what about video games? Although these tend to be associated with children and teenagers, adults can definitely get something out of playing them, so if you think they’re fun and they suit your lifestyle, this could be the path to take.
In the past, video games weren’t all that interesting to a lot of people, as they were quite limiting, or you needed a specific games console to play them on, which were expensive and, if you weren’t going to play very much, just not worth the money. However, it’s all changed today, and you don’t need specific tools – you can even just use your laptop or a phone to play if you prefer. And as for choice, there’s loads of it; imagine a game topic, and you’re likely to be able to find it, or at least something similar. That means you can find something you’re going to like in the format that works for you – even better, some of these games are free, so you don’t need to invest any money, just your time.
Puzzles
Puzzles and things known as ‘brain teasers’ are perfect for when you want some mental stimulation and to boost your brain health, and since they’re also fun and you can do them pretty much anywhere at any time, they’re certainly a good option if you want to play more.
Activities like solving a challenging crossword, taking on a tricky sudoku grid, or working hard on a jigsaw, for example, all require plenty of brainpower and concentration, as well as patience, and some logical thinking, and that means these things can help to improve your memory and problem-solving skills, and they’ll give you a wonderful and positive sense of satisfaction when they’re done – in other words, if you’re looking for a good way to play as an adult that will give you as many benefits as possible, puzzles might be the solution you’re looking for.
Outdoor Games
The great thing about outdoor games and activities is that they combine the benefits of playing, with the fact that fresh air and being outside is good for you, so no matter what you do, from throwing a Frisbee with friends to going for a run by yourself and plenty more in between, you’ll find you get many different benefits and feel fantastic once you’re done – it might (and should) become something you look forward to, and even if it’s not play in the usual sense of the word, if you’re having fun and doing something different, it definitely counts.
You’ll probably already know that physical play can improve your physical health, but it also improves your mental health because it helps you relax more, boosts your mood, and removes stress – if it’s fun as well, there’s absolutely no reason not to add this kind of play into your life when you can. And it doesn’t have to be hard to fit in either; just a few minutes can make a difference, and starting small can work well because it means you won’t go too far too fast, which can cause injury if you’re not used to the kind of physical exercise you’re doing.
Being Creative
Have you ever watched children coloring or playing with bricks and just being in a world of their own while they create? Well, you can do the same by playing in a creative way as well. Coloring and playing with bricks are certainly good options, and you can get grown-up coloring books and complex Lego sets to give you that opportunity, for example.
However, these aren’t the only creative things you can do, and you can also try things like painting, playing a musical instrument, writing stories, and so on – being creative helps you learn how to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas, and that’s something you can use to benefit the rest of your life as well.

What do you think?