I’ve struggled with my topic for July - Fun & Play. How can I encourage fun and play when my home state of Texas is in the middle of dealing with the flooding tragedy? It feels wrong when so many are grieving and so much loss. My heart is heavy and I’m sad.
And yet, people rally and help do what they can. There are incredible stories of resilience and outpouring of love and kindness.
During disaster and recovery fun and play are important for everyone adults too. Why?
The truth is: fun and play aren’t just for kids. Adults need fun and play as well. We might just need it even more than kids.
Last month, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of having my granddaughters with me for their yearly summer vacation with Mimi time. It’s refreshing to be engaged in play, games, fun and laughter. I find my creativity has increased and my stress is lower. I’m still recovering from month long play, travel and Mimi time.
Play and Fun Are Not a Luxuries or Frivolous or Wrong
We often associate play and having fun with a lack of seriousness and something we just don’t have time for or feels wrong. However, play is a powerful tool for mental health, creativity, connection, and productivity. You may have heard the old proverb: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The idea is that we find balance between play and work so we can remain creative and interesting. We don’t want to become that boring, uninteresting person stuck in the work grind.
Play is how we explore, release stress, and rediscover joy in a world that’s increasingly demanding and during disasters and tragedy.
5 Reasons Play Matters in Adulthood
1. Play Reduces StressWhen we engage in fun, and playful activities our brains release endorphins and reduce cortisol levels. It’s like a natural reset button for our nervous systems.
- Things like dancing, painting, playing games and laughing out loud
2. Play Boosts Creativity and Problem Solving
Unstructured play allows your mind to wander, which is often when your best ideas emerge. Just like kids learn through play, adults often stumble upon solutions when they're not trying so hard. Next time you’re stuck on a work problem, try going for a walk or taking a short dance or a music jam break. See if you feel more motivated or even have solved that problem!
3. Play Improves Relationships
Shared laughter, games, and lighthearted moments help build trust and deepen emotional bonds. This is important in all relationships from family, friends, romantic partnerships, or work teams, play acts as social glue. During disaster it rebuilds community and is a shared experience.
4. Play Helps You Reconnect with Yourself
When you play, you’re not performing or achieving, you’re just being. It’s a moment of self-expression without pressure, reminding you of who you are beyond your roles and titles. This can help you reconnect with what’s important to you and also relieve stress. It’s a moment to forget life’s stress and weight to just take a moment for you.
5. Play Builds Resilience
People who make time for fun and joy are better at coping with challenges. They bounce back more easily because they’ve learned to find lightness even in tough times. This is building resilience. We all can use resilience in our lives. During disaster and tragedy play and fun can feel wrong, now you know it’s not wrong it’s important part of building resilience.
What Does Play Look Like for Adults?
Think back to what you had fun doing as a child. There is no right or wrong way to have fun. Maybe some of those things would be fun again as an adult.
Here are some ideas for play and fun as an adult:
Let Go of the Guilt
We’ve been taught that productivity is everything and the most important thing. It is NOT. Constantly grinding away at work or life without time and space for joy leads to burnout, not brilliance. Trust me I coach many burned out folks who’ve given it all and now are depleted. Fun isn’t a distraction, wrong, or silly, it’s an essential part of it. When you give yourself permission to play, you’re not being irresponsible; you’re being human.
You don’t stop needing play because you grow up. You stop growing when you forget how to play.
So pick up the guitar, plink on the piano, kick the ball, throw a frisbee, go to the park, or laugh at dumb jokes, whatever lights you up. Life isn’t just about getting through the day. It’s about enjoying the ride.
Play on. I highly encourage making time for some fun and play.
So, what playful fun thing might you want to do?
I find swinging at the park and sliding are great fun. I enjoy coloring as well, it calms my mind. We regularly do puzzles as well. Love a good puzzle and getting that piece in.
Share with me your fun and play, I'd love to hear and learn from you.
Client Wins: Thank you Teresa, I have actions and a plan to help me deal with burnout now., I feel like I understand my Imposter Syndrome better and can now work through this., So glad I booked this session I feel so much better now and you've help me find clarity and make a plan to move forward.
I have space for three clients in July & August. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Follow me on social media for tips, motivational quotes and insightful journal/contemplation questions.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Recovering from lots of play and leaning into incorporating regular fun and play
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
And yet, people rally and help do what they can. There are incredible stories of resilience and outpouring of love and kindness.
During disaster and recovery fun and play are important for everyone adults too. Why?
- It helps to emotionally process and heal
- It’s a terrific stress reduction and a coping skills
- A social connection and community building
- Builds a sense of normalcy - even for a moment
The truth is: fun and play aren’t just for kids. Adults need fun and play as well. We might just need it even more than kids.
Last month, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of having my granddaughters with me for their yearly summer vacation with Mimi time. It’s refreshing to be engaged in play, games, fun and laughter. I find my creativity has increased and my stress is lower. I’m still recovering from month long play, travel and Mimi time.
Play and Fun Are Not a Luxuries or Frivolous or Wrong
We often associate play and having fun with a lack of seriousness and something we just don’t have time for or feels wrong. However, play is a powerful tool for mental health, creativity, connection, and productivity. You may have heard the old proverb: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The idea is that we find balance between play and work so we can remain creative and interesting. We don’t want to become that boring, uninteresting person stuck in the work grind.
Play is how we explore, release stress, and rediscover joy in a world that’s increasingly demanding and during disasters and tragedy.
5 Reasons Play Matters in Adulthood
1. Play Reduces StressWhen we engage in fun, and playful activities our brains release endorphins and reduce cortisol levels. It’s like a natural reset button for our nervous systems.
- Things like dancing, painting, playing games and laughing out loud
2. Play Boosts Creativity and Problem Solving
Unstructured play allows your mind to wander, which is often when your best ideas emerge. Just like kids learn through play, adults often stumble upon solutions when they're not trying so hard. Next time you’re stuck on a work problem, try going for a walk or taking a short dance or a music jam break. See if you feel more motivated or even have solved that problem!
3. Play Improves Relationships
Shared laughter, games, and lighthearted moments help build trust and deepen emotional bonds. This is important in all relationships from family, friends, romantic partnerships, or work teams, play acts as social glue. During disaster it rebuilds community and is a shared experience.
4. Play Helps You Reconnect with Yourself
When you play, you’re not performing or achieving, you’re just being. It’s a moment of self-expression without pressure, reminding you of who you are beyond your roles and titles. This can help you reconnect with what’s important to you and also relieve stress. It’s a moment to forget life’s stress and weight to just take a moment for you.
5. Play Builds Resilience
People who make time for fun and joy are better at coping with challenges. They bounce back more easily because they’ve learned to find lightness even in tough times. This is building resilience. We all can use resilience in our lives. During disaster and tragedy play and fun can feel wrong, now you know it’s not wrong it’s important part of building resilience.
What Does Play Look Like for Adults?
Think back to what you had fun doing as a child. There is no right or wrong way to have fun. Maybe some of those things would be fun again as an adult.
Here are some ideas for play and fun as an adult:
- Going to a park and play - slide down the slide, climb, or swing on the swings
- Gardening with no particular goal - just to play in the dirt as I call it
- Playing board games or video games
- Making art just for the joy of it
- Building a puzzle or LEGOs
- Doing crafts or learning a new craft
- Having spontaneous conversations that become silly and laughter filled
- Exploring nature - nature is a healing place
- Trying a hobby with no expectation of mastery- just for fun or learning
- Joining a recreational sports league
- Taking an improv or dance class
- Pick up a MadLibs book - classic fun
- If you have kids in your family or network play a game or have some healthy fun
Let Go of the Guilt
We’ve been taught that productivity is everything and the most important thing. It is NOT. Constantly grinding away at work or life without time and space for joy leads to burnout, not brilliance. Trust me I coach many burned out folks who’ve given it all and now are depleted. Fun isn’t a distraction, wrong, or silly, it’s an essential part of it. When you give yourself permission to play, you’re not being irresponsible; you’re being human.
You don’t stop needing play because you grow up. You stop growing when you forget how to play.
So pick up the guitar, plink on the piano, kick the ball, throw a frisbee, go to the park, or laugh at dumb jokes, whatever lights you up. Life isn’t just about getting through the day. It’s about enjoying the ride.
Play on. I highly encourage making time for some fun and play.
So, what playful fun thing might you want to do?
I find swinging at the park and sliding are great fun. I enjoy coloring as well, it calms my mind. We regularly do puzzles as well. Love a good puzzle and getting that piece in.
Share with me your fun and play, I'd love to hear and learn from you.
Client Wins: Thank you Teresa, I have actions and a plan to help me deal with burnout now., I feel like I understand my Imposter Syndrome better and can now work through this., So glad I booked this session I feel so much better now and you've help me find clarity and make a plan to move forward.
I have space for three clients in July & August. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Follow me on social media for tips, motivational quotes and insightful journal/contemplation questions.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Recovering from lots of play and leaning into incorporating regular fun and play
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
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