How To Be Playful (As an Adult)
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Lighten Up: Kids are innately playful. They can turn anything into a game or opportunity for fun. The older we get, the further we get from our once playful selves. Being grown-up entails lots of work and responsibilities, and fun either gets the short shrift altogether or becomes more structured, with our weekly pickleball games or monthly book club meetings. In her book Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, educator, toy designer, and “play expert” Cas Holman explores why adult playfulness is a necessity for feeling happier and healthier and treating others better.
How to Do It: Holman shares how to cultivate a playful mindset. First, be open to the possibility of play and joy, and step away from rigid ways of thinking. Remove judgment, expectations, and worry about doing things “right.” Reframe the concept of success by placing emphasis on curiosity and creativity, not perfectionism.
The Benefits: Being more playful can chip away at our fear of failure and help us embrace new, innovative ways of thinking and being. Play can strengthen social bonds and build empathy for others. It can also sharpen mental acuity, improve mental health, and strengthen resilience.
