When was the last time you did something simply because it was fun?
For many adults, that question can be surprisingly difficult to answer. Between work responsibilities, family obligations, packed schedules, and endless to-do lists, play is often one of the first things to disappear from our lives. Yet research continues to show that play is not just for kids–it’s an important part of maintaining mental health, reducing stress, and fostering creativity throughout adulthood.
Why Play is Important For Mental Health
As adults, we often struggle to create time to do things simply for the fun of doing them. Summer is a great opportunity to re-engage in play in a way that is not based on productivity or expectations, but rather play for the sake of play. Play can help support mental well-being in several ways:
1. Play Reduces Stress: When we engage in enjoyable activities, our ability to stay present instead of ruminating or worrying about responsibilities increases. Even brief moments of play can help offer a reset, allowing us to take a step back from busy schedules and obligations.
2. Play Encourages Creativity: Play invites experimentation without pressure. It creates room for us to make mistakes, try new things, and cultivate a sense of grace and compassion for ourselves as we explore something new. This can also have a positive affect on overall self-esteem and self-image.
3. Play Helps You Reconnect with Yourself: Many of us spend time focusing on what needs to get done, often feeling a sense of task urgency. Play offers the opportunity to reconnect to parts of ourselves that we often do not create time or space to connect to, such as our curiosity, imagination, and creativity. It creates the opportunity for us to take a step back from the demands of our lives, focusing more on strengthening our connection to ourselves.
Signs You May Need More Play in Your Life
Take a moment to check in with yourself now. When was the last time you did something purely for enjoyment without trying to accomplish something or check something off of a list?
Additionally, ask yourself if any of the following are true. If so, focusing on play may be beneficial:
You have a difficult time relaxing, or feel guilty when you try to relax
You often feel emotionally drained
Most of your free time is spent “doom scrolling”
You feel uninspired or creatively stagnant
You have a difficult time maintaining a sense of presence in your life
You feel irritable often
You feel disconnected from hobbies you once enjoyed
How To Be More Playful As An Adult
The good news is that you can bring play back into your life! Play looks like anything that creates enjoyment without feeling the need to perform, but rather to experience. Some examples include playing boardgames with friends; painting, drawing, coloring, or engaging in other creative pursuits; exploring a local trail or taking a leisurely walk; going for a bike ride; or trying a new hobby without pressuring yourself to be “good” at it.
A Summer Invitation
Summer and the shift to warmer weather offers the perfect opportunity to re-engage in play as a way to inspire joy, creativity, and more connectedness to self. As a clinical therapist, I often notice many clients come to therapy seeking relief from stress, burnout, and overall disconnection. What gets missed from the conversation is the need to reconnect to parts of ourselves that have a desire to simply have fun. We often put so much pressure on ourselves that it can feel difficult to allow ourselves to have space to be just as we are. This summer season, instead of trying to pack your schedule full of more tasks, maybe consider asking, “How might I be able to incorporate more play into this season of life?”
If stress, burnout, anxiety, or disconnection have been making it difficult to enjoy life, therapy can help. Working with a therapist can create space to reconnect with yourself, explore what brings you joy, and build a life that feels more balanced and meaningful.
At Deepwater Counseling, we support individuals navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and personal growth. We offer in-person sessions in Ann Arbor and virtual sessions throughout Michigan. Contact us here to learn more or schedule an appointment.
–By Emily Kline, LMSW