Why Playing Might Be the Healthiest Thing You’re Not Doing
Udumbara
.
Just five minutes of joy can transform your physical and mental health.
Join Sina McCullough, Ph.D. in nutrition, on her quest to uncover truths about food and health. A scientist by training and journalist by nature, Sina offers facts and insights about how to live healthy, happy, and free.
Recently, I was invited to a girls’ day out with the theme “Play with Intention.” I expected a fun, carefree day with friends, where we’d let loose and reconnect with our playful sides.
However, when I arrived, I discovered the host’s idea of play was helping her tackle projects on her to-do list—organizing closets and cleaning the garage. For her, that was a form of play. It brought her joy.
I realized how personal play can be—what feels playful for one person might feel like work to another. I also realized how easy it is to lose touch with play altogether.
As adults, we often put fun on the back burner, saving it for “when there’s time”—and it could be costing us our health.
Why Don’t We Play More?
Research shows that engaging in playful activities can reduce anxiety, depression, and even more serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Play reduces stress and boosts feel-good endorphins. It can lower blood pressure, protect against heart disease and cognitive decline, and increase longevity. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Go ahead, have fun—it’s good for you!”Yet, many adults–myself included–struggle to make time for play.
Play is often dismissed as frivolous or unproductive as we grow into adulthood. Society encourages us to “grow up,” pushing us toward responsibilities and measurable achievements—leaving little room for fun.
Between jobs, family, and endless to-do lists, play gets pushed aside. Over time, spontaneity and imagination fade, replaced by rigid routines and task-driven thinking.
This pattern is often modeled by our parents. My parents worked from sunrise to sunset, rarely stopping for fun. Now, as an adult, I’ve fallen into the same trap. When I do take time to play, I feel guilty–like I haven’t earned it.
Our reluctance to embrace play often ties back to a deeper belief that we’re not “worthy” until we’ve achieved enough. But who decides what’s enough?
Most of us are chasing a finish line that doesn’t exist. We keep moving the goalposts, telling ourselves that once we check all the boxes, we’ll finally deserve a break.
Even after we’ve accomplished every task on our list, we hesitate to pause and play because there’s always more to be done. We remain stuck in the pursuit of external validation, waiting for a sense of “enough” that never arrives.
What if we stopped waiting? What if we gave ourselves permission to play—right now?
.
What Does Play Look Like as Adults?
It’s easy to define play for children—they dive right in without hesitation. But for adults, it’s a bit trickier.Most of us aren’t about to grab a doll or action figure and reenact childhood adventures.
So, what does play look like for grown-ups?
- The Collector: You love gathering and curating things–whether it’s stamps, vintage cars, rare books, or seashells.
- The Competitor: You thrive on games with clear rules and enjoy the challenge of winning, whether it’s a neighborhood soccer match, board game night, or fantasy football.
- The Creator: You love bringing ideas to life. Whether it’s doodling, decorating, woodworking, fixing things, or sewing, making or repairing brings you joy.
- The Director: You enjoy organizing and taking the lead. Planning events like themed parties or coordinating group activities is your idea of fun.
- The Explorer: You experience play through discovery. It might be physical—traveling to new places—or intellectual, such as learning a new skill, exploring music, or delving into new ideas.
- The Joker: You live to make others laugh. Play for you is all about being goofy, telling jokes, or engaging in playful banter.
- The Kinesthete: You experience play through movement. Dancing, practicing yoga, hiking, or any activity that lets you move your body is where you thrive.
- The Storyteller: You love stories, whether listening to them or creating your own. You might find play in writing, acting, or telling a good story around the dinner table.
While I see bits of myself in several of these play personalities, at my core, I am a creator.
I play by creating new recipes in the kitchen, shaping hiking trails on my property, writing stories, and painting. In these moments, I lose track of time, fully immersed in the flow of creativity. There’s a sense of calm yet aliveness—where nothing else matters but the joy of making, exploring, and bringing ideas to life.
.
An Invitation to Joy
Incorporating play into daily life doesn’t require hours of free time. Even five minutes of doing something joyful can make a difference. The key is to prioritize what brings you joy and gives you a break from life’s demands.Here is my challenge to you (and myself):
For five minutes a day, step away from the pressures of life and choose to play. Dance, doodle, blow bubbles, watch a comedy, get lost in a book, or organize your closet—if it fills you with joy, it counts.
Set a timer and give yourself five glorious minutes to do something—anything—that lifts your spirit. You don’t need to earn it, and you don’t need permission. You’re already worth it. Go play!
.
Join the Conversation
This week’s Community Question: What are your favorite ways to play?
Share your thoughts in the comments!Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and reflects the opinion of Sina McCullough, who is a scientist, not a medical doctor. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for guidance from your health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before making changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle.
