3 Reasons Why Adults Should Play

When we were children, playing was second nature to us.

We look at everything with eyes of wonder, and a simple box can turn into a jet, house, office, or anything we can imagine. Anyone we meet could instantly become our friend as we ask them to join us in our adventures with our magnificent box or other toys.

As we grow older, we seem to have less time for playing and need more time for responsibilities. Well, we NEED time to play. Even as adults.

Here are 3 reasons why:

1. It helps you loosen up and relieve stress.

Playing games can give us that time off to relax and put our feet up. We can chill with video games within a healthy time frame before we think about our finances and tasks. We can also spend some time with kids (or even other adults), and do silly things. It gives us those much needed happy hormones that takes away some of the tension that builds up from being an adult.

2. It can strengthen your relationship with others.

Who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of watching those Jenga pieces carefully as someone pulls out a piece so very gently? And the bouts of laughter after all the pieces fall? In Monopoly, you connive within a safe imagined space to take all the property you can get and negotiate your heart out. Even simple games like peek-a-boo with your child or creating Lego structures create a stronger bond between the both of you. You smile and laugh together with others as you play board games or party games. It gives you that sense of belongingness and special connection.

3. It ignites creativity within you.

Having to deal with the reality of life can get tiring sometimes. It can also limit our creative minds as we go from day to day, doing our chores and following routine. Playing games help us think outside the box. We can think of ways to solve a puzzle or maybe help a child reenact a scene from Marvel movies with his action figures.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
We grow old because we stop playing.”

– George Bernard Shaw

 

A December to Remember: Day 3 (Play with friends/family)