Not Just for Kids: The Importance of Play.

Welcome to the first installment of The Practitioner's Digest. Every week, we pick a different topic and share a selection of resources curated for practitioners working within the field of positive psychology (and beyond).

This week, we're taking a thoughtful look at the importance of play.

1. Food for ThoughtIt is widely understood that play is a fundamental way children learn about the world. Yet, as adults, we seem to stop thinking this idea applies to us and instead consider play a purely recreational activity with little value beyond the immediate pleasure it brings.It is, however, far more valuable than that. By creating a safe space devoid of real-world consequences, play effectively becomes a low-stakes training environment. It can encourage people to overcome the fear of leaving their comfort zone and experience the related benefits as a result. This makes it an excellent tool for personal growth that is just as important for adults as it is for children.
2. Inspiring Quote"The drive to play freely is a basic biological drive. Lack of free play may not kill the physical body as with lack of air, food, or water, but it kills the spirit and stunts mental growth."— Peter Grey
3. Free Science-based ToolLeaving the Comfort Zone. Play can be a way for people to extend their comfort zone and experience learning and growth while feeling safe. This tool serves as a visual aid that can help people develop the confidence to move past their fear zone inside and outside play settings. [Link ]
4. Book RecommendationThe Power of Fun: How To Feel Alive Again - Catherine Price. Here, the author persuasively argues the importance of regular play for our wellbeing. Price shows how the modern recreational trends of screen time and social media are merely empty distractions and offers alternative strategies to help people experience "true fun" and feel alive again. [Link ]
5. A Question For Your Clients"What seems like work to other people but feels like play to you?" As adults, we tend to separate work from play, but this needn't be the case. The insight this question generates can help people find a more fulfilling career path by identifying jobs uniquely suited to their personality or using job crafting to get more satisfaction from their current role.
6. Free Infographic

Thanks for reading. I'm curious how you incorporate play into your daily life?

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