Did you know the joy in playing can make adults more upbeat?
We all have an inner child. Whether or not this child is kept hidden away or nourished, is completely up to us. The crux of the matter is: if you find the joy in playing, you will be happier.
One of the best things about having children, grandkids, or nieces and nephews is that it gives you an excuse to play. Be it joining in a water fight or painting a little flower pot. Whatever it is, you can’t deny enjoying yourself when doing these actvities.
Kidult country
Britain is officially a nation of kidults (i.e. a mix of kids and adults), with a surprising 72 per cent of grown-ups admitting playing makes them happier. Jumping on bouncy castles, colouring and trampolining are listed among the things which make grown-up kids happy. With two in five saying they get a thrill from playing childhood games.
Fortunately, if you have children, playing becomes that much easier. Joining your children while their playing their favourite board game or creating fun art, is not only great for them, but beneficial to your own happiness.
Essential development
Linda Blair, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, said: “Playing is a fundamental part of human development and a way for children to learn how to engage and interact with the world around them.” Playing boosts cognitive skills like increasing curiosity about the world and improving creativity. Both adults and children benefit from playing.
Sometime during the next week, approach a work problem through the rules of playing freely. Let the creative juices flow. Think about the your situation as not having any constraints, rules or limitations. Imagine if every door was open, which door would you step into? If you truly get into the play mindset, you might come up with ideas that contain greatness.
