When was the last time you allowed yourself to play? Whether it was today, last week, or seemingly ages ago, play is not reserved for the carefree days of childhood but holds significant value throughout our lives. As a mental health provider and music therapist who works with teens, young adults, adults, and older adults, I understand the transformative power of play across various stages of life. In this blog post, I’ll look at the multifaceted nature of play, explore its characteristics, and shed light on the therapeutic benefits of play. My hope is that this will inspire you to incorporate more play into your life – regardless of your age.
Understanding Play
Defining “play” may seem straightforward, yet this concept encompasses a spectrum of meanings. “Play” is a verb, a noun, and a state of mind. Musician, author, and educator, Stephan Nachmanovitch encapsulates play as a context-dependent state. [1] As such, we can incorporate play into our lives in a variety of ways. We can engage in activities that we enjoy or that give us pleasure, and we can view our lives from a more playful state of mind.
When we engage in life from a more playful state of mind, the daily tasks of life can be more enjoyable. Likewise, cultivating a playful state of mind can help us find some sense of meaning in situations where it might otherwise be lacking. Life can feel meaningless sometimes. Finding meaning in our lives can help us from falling into a deep hole of depression and staying stuck there.
The Five Characteristics of Human Play
Human play is characterized by five fundamental traits [2]:
- Self-chosen and self-directed
- Intrinsically motivating, with a focus on the process over the outcome
- Guided by mental rules, allowing room for creativity
- Imaginative
- Conducted in an alert, yet relatively non-stressed frame of mind
These characteristics lay the foundation for understanding the diverse ways individuals can engage in play, from playing musical instruments to undertaking daily tasks with a playful mindset.
Think about the last time you played. How did it meet these five characteristics? If you have kids or work with youth, what have you observed about their play in regard to this? Do you or they have enough play in their lives? Let’s now look at some benefits of play.
Benefits of Play Across the Lifespan
The scope of play is vast and adaptable, evolving with age. For children, play is an essential avenue for learning and processing emotions. Teens, navigating hormonal changes and brain development, can use play to self-regulate and manage stress. Adults, approaching responsibilities with a playful attitude, find “adulting” more manageable, contributing to self-regulation and stress management. In older adults, play becomes a source of liberation, fostering a sense of “emancipated innocence” during a phase of life where societal constraints diminish.
If you find yourself stuck in your ability to play, you may find this blog post I wrote helpful that includes tips for tapping into your creativity.
Why Play is Essential in Therapy
As a therapist, my integration of play, especially through the medium of music, serves four main purposes:
- Creativity: Embracing creativity fosters a therapeutic flow, allowing individuals to explore and understand themselves without fixating on the final product.
- Exploration: Playful engagement provides a non-judgmental space for exploration, encouraging curiosity about one’s thoughts and feelings.
- Reflection: Reflection is facilitated through music therapy, encouraging mindfulness and helping individuals recognize personal responsibility and the impact of external factors.
- Problem-Solving: Playful exploration and reflection often lead to new insights, paving the way for effective problem-solving, a common goal in therapy.
Seeking a Playful Approach to Therapy?
Regardless of age, incorporating play into your life contributes significantly to mental health and overall well-being. If you’re seeking a therapist who integrates creativity and play into the therapeutic process, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. Embrace play, and let your mental health thank you for it.
