Why You Need to Play More!

“Play is the highest form of research.” - Albert Einstein

Introduction:

I remember when I was a kid, playtime was the best part of my day. Running around, laughing, and just having fun with my friends made me feel so alive. Little did I know back then that play was actually benefiting my health in so many ways. And it's not just for humans, animals benefit from play as well. It improves our mental, physical, and social well-being.

Play can be an activity or a state of mind.

It's a means of self-relaxation or a reason to bring people (and pets) together. Play is good for the mind as well as for the body.

For Humans:

Play stimulates the "creative juices," brings joy and laughter, and improves one's mood as well as the atmosphere at work or at home. Play can serve as learning opportunities, make people and life more interesting and memorable, and serve to build more trusting relationships with others. This is why team-building activities and social events are popular for gathering together work colleagues or any group of friends. More bonding occurs from such activities than from "normal," everyday activities. 

Play brings so many great benefits, yet we don't seem to make it a regular and intentional focus.

It's time we change that.

For Dogs:

Look at our pets for instance. Animals seek out play. They engage in social play with other animals (and humans) as well as in self-play. Play is fun for them and highly contagious. Have you ever witnessed a group of dogs at an off-leash park? They start chasing each other, and other dogs join in. They don't want to miss out on the "Paw-tay!"

From fractional MRI studies conducted by Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist who studied the reactions of dogs, animals do experience positive emotions and it is believed that animals experience happiness, joy and fun, like we do, from activities such as play. 

Animals also engage in self-play like chasing their tail, playing with balls or other objects on their own (for e.g., throwing them up in the air) and playing tug of war with other animals or humans. We figure they do so because it is fun and creates positive emotions. 😄

Cats and Play:

It's hard not to think of play without thinking of cats and kittens. They epitomize play. Their whole life seems to revolve around play. If they're not pawing at a dust bunny, pushing an object off a counter, "de-furring" a ball with their hind legs or chasing a butterfly, then they're likely sleeping or eating.

Play for cats is an indicator of happiness. They want to engage with other pets and humans when they're happy. Cats that are happy will purr, groom, rub their head and body alongside you or a wall, leaving their scent as a mark. You may witness a cat kneading a blanket or your shirt which indicates that it feels content and safe. A cat may also chirp or meow to show that it wants to interact or play with you. 

We need to be more playful like cats. While I'm not saying to rub and knead, I am suggesting that perhaps we speak up (chirp) more often and ask others to engage in a game of Scrabble or a fun game of touch football outside. Be instantaneous. Act crazy and goofy, even if for an hour or so on a Sunday afternoon. Get off the couch, step away from your devices and go outside and have some fun.

Benefits of Play:

There are lots of health benefits that result from play as well.

Play can:

• Relieve stress

• Release positive endorphins

• Promote an overall sense of well-being

• Improve brain function

• Reduce depression

• Improve resistance to disease

• Increase the amount of exercise

With all of these incredible benefits, it's no wonder that play is so important for our health. Overall, play helps you function at your best. So, next time you have a chance, go outside and have some fun. It's good for you!

Reference: Excerpt from Dig-Leap-Play: A Pet Lover's Guide to Self-Fulfillment. To learn more about Play, grab a copy of my book at www.drteresawoolard.com.