I greeted an acquaintance on the elevator the other day and they sheepishly told me about the fun she had on her recent day off. This encounter sparked reflection on how play is unfortunately relegated to the confines of a guilty pleasure. Outside of organized sports we all too commonly refer to play time as a luxury we do not afford ourselves.

Considering the research on the health benefits of play this attitude really does not serve us well. We have known for some time how well play enhances learning and memory. Researchers have also found that play increases BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) in the brain which is like fertilizer for neurons. It turns out that play promotes neuroplasticity.

Many people think that the opposite of play is work, but actually it is depression. We know from several research studies that reduced play cause an increase in agitation, irritability and lethargy. Some of these studies needed to be interrupted upon realizing that the participants were becoming depressed.

One of the ways you can increase play in your life is to think back to when you were a child and identify some of the ways you enjoyed yourself. What kinds of activities gave you joy? For example, did you like to build things? Crafts? Games? See if you can identify aspects of those experiences and incorporate them into your adult life.

Another way to invite the benefits of play is to imagine it. Simply take a few moments and think back to a time when you were playing or having fun. Remember when you discovered the miracle of blowing bubbles for the first time or enjoyed pretending to be a ninja as I did. Simply replay this image in your mind and notice how you feel afterward. If you have any photos of these fond memories consider putting them up in places that will act as a reminder to cultivate play in your daily life.

We hope these ideas about play help you to reduce irritability and increase your zest for life. If implementing these strategies feels insufficient, we are here to help. Give us a call at 514 223 5327.

Written by Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ, Psychologist