by Kathi Szabo
Do adults need to play?
If you had asked me a decade ago what adults needed more of, I might have said time, leadership skills, personal development, maybe even purpose. But after the year we all had in 2020, and after years of coaching people through burnout, reinvention, and transition, I’ve realized something so much deeper.
We don’t need more time.
We need to develop our skills and have a purpose, but that can’t be our only focus.
And we don’t just need rest in order to live more fully.
We need play.
Yes, adults. Grown-ups with jobs, children,to-do lists and aching backs. We need to play—just as much as children do, maybe even more.
In 2021, I created a little summer project called Explore Laugh Play. It was 30 days to invigorate one’s spirit through play. Explore Laugh Play was my attempt to help us all find our way back to joy after a year of so much uncertainty and grief. I thought we needed a break. We needed time to enjoy life. Be free.
What I didn’t realize was that we were also missing a fundamental part of our well-being.
What I Learned: Play Isn’t Optional. It’s Essential
That first year, I began to see it in myself, in Mark, and in the clients and friends who joined the program: play isn’t just a nice way to pass the time. It’s a lifeline to mental and emotional wellness.
I recall going to our local park in NJ to make a short video on my phone to promote the program and running into the wife of my son’s best friend. At first, I was a little embarrassed. An almost 60 year old woman recording herself on the slide and swings while blowing bubbles! She asked me what I was doing. I explained to her the program and she smiled! She seemed to think it was a great idea and something we all needed. It was then, I knew I was on to something.
Play supports everything from mood to memory, from relationships to resilience.
🧠 Neuroscience tells us that play strengthens our prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and emotional regulation.
💛 Studies show that play reduces cortisol levels, improves social bonding, and even helps us recover from trauma.
📚 The National Institute for Play reports that regular play helps adults stay more optimistic, flexible, and emotionally connected. PsychCentral adds that it can foster better problem-solving skills and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In short: play makes us feel young. It ignites our curiosity and innocence.
But What Is Play for Adults?
Play isn’t just about toys or games. Play doesn’t have to be planned or intentional.
What is PLAY when you’re an adult?
Play is anything that brings joy, spontaneity, creativity, and lightness into your life.
It might be:
- Dancing while you cook
- Making up stories with your grandkids
- Hiking a trail with no destination in mind
- Singing loudly in the car
- Doing something just for the joy of it—not for achievement or approval
Play is any activity where the goal is the experience itself. Not productivity. Not performance. Just presence.
And that’s where the transformation happens.
Why Adults Resist Play—And Why We Shouldn’t
Somewhere along the line, we were taught that play is just for kids. That if we’re not being productive, we’re wasting time. Silliness and joy should be saved for vacations and earned after hard work.
But that’s not what the science says.
And that’s not what our hearts say either.
Adults who give themselves permission to play on a regular basis report feeling more connected to others, more creative in their work, and more emotionally resilient in the face of stress. They sleep better. Laugh more. When life throws a curveball, they bounce back faster. They are resilient and we know resiliency promotes better mental health and well-being.
Those who make time to play, live more fully.
Why I’m Bringing Explore Laugh Play Back Again For Year #5
Every summer since 2021, Mark and I have come back to this simple truth: when we make space for play, everything else in life feels lighter. Problems seem more manageable. Our connection deepens. Our perspective shifts. And joy becomes something we don’t have to chase—it’s right there in our ordinary moments.
That’s why this summer, we’re once again inviting you to join us in Explore Laugh Play.
But we’re making it even easier.
Instead of a daily commitment, we’ll send just one playful prompt every Saturday morning from the first day of summer—June 21—through August 30, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
Each email will give you something to try, reflect on, or enjoy—on your own or with someone you love. No pressure. No perfection. Just presence. Just play.
Because the truth is: the world needs more playful grown-ups.
And so do our families.
And so do our hearts.
What You Gain When You Choose to Play
It’s one thing to say “play is good for you,” but what does that actually mean? What happens when you intentionally bring more play into your daily life?
Let’s talk about the real benefits—because play is not just about feel-good fluff. The benefits are life-changing and science backed:
🧠 Sharper Thinking & Better Problem Solving:
Play stimulates the brain in a way that boosts creativity, curiosity, and flexible thinking. Studies show that playful adults are better at adapting to change and thinking outside the box—critical skills when facing life’s inevitable twists and turns.
💞 Stronger, Healthier Relationships:
Play is a powerful connector. Whether it’s sharing laughter with a partner, goofing off with a friend, or playing a silly game with your grandkids, these moments deepen intimacy and build trust. Play fosters emotional safety, improves communication, and helps resolve conflict with less tension.
💆 Less Anxiety, More Calm:
When we’re in a playful state, our stress hormones—especially cortisol—go down. Just a few minutes of joyful activity can shift your mood, relax your nervous system, and remind your brain that it’s safe to breathe again. In fact, incorporating playful practices has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and even help with mild depression.
🧓 Protects Cognitive Health & Reduces Dementia Risk:
Yes, really. Engaging regularly in playful, mentally stimulating activities helps preserve memory and executive functioning. Research cited by the American Journal of Play and NPR shows that adults who continue to play—especially socially—maintain better brain health and lower their risk of cognitive decline.
When you choose to play, you’re not stepping away from personal growth—you’re stepping into a version of it that’s more sustainable, joyful, and deeply effective.
This isn’t just about fun (though fun is part of it!).
It’s about living with more vitality, more ease, and more connection.
How to Join
If you’re ready to bring more lightness into your life, more laughter into your weekend, and more resilience into your routines, this program is for you.
It’s completely free. No catch. Just an open-hearted invitation.
👉 https://www.eclecticwellbeing.com/explorelaughplay2025
Let this summer be the one where you don’t just survive—you thrive.
You deserve joy. You deserve connection.
And yes—you absolutely deserve to play.
It starts this Saturday! Sign Up Now!
Recent Comments