This weekend I heard an interview with Stuart Brown, M.D., on “Play, Spirit, + Character.” Brown is the author of Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul. He’s also a physician and director of the National Institute for Play.
My first thought was, “Wow! There’s a national organization devoted to the topic of play?! How fun!”
As someone who loves to play, I know that I feel refreshed after a little frivolity in my life. So I’m all for an opportunity to lighten up, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Brown researches the science of play in animals and human beings. He defines play as something “spontaneously done for its own sake…it appears purposeless…produces pleasure and joy…leads one to the next stage of mastery.”
He says that play equips children to successfully function in the world. Without play, we become more fixed and rigid. We don’t seek out novelty or innovation. He says that adults need play just as much as children do.
I hear ya, Stuart. When I work too much, I get cranky and boring. Staring at the computer screen for too many hours makes me downright crabby.
As humans, play is essential for our well-being. Sure, you could go without play but how interesting would life be? More importantly, how interesting would you be?
Play is the basis of creativity. It opens up the mind for new ideas and new solutions for problems. Without play, we lose our humor and our perspective on life.
Play includes activities like reading, sports, throwing the ball for the dog, giggling with your children or anything that floats your boat. Remember, play “appears purposeless” and “produces pleasure.”
Take a moment to think about what you used to enjoy when you were a child. For me, that included writing, playing dress up, cheerleading and dancing around the house. In my adult life that translates to writing, being an actor who performs on-stage and behind the microphone, and dancing around my house. (Hmm…Apparently, some things don’t change much.)
Brown says that when it comes to play, children are the professionals. They are “purer” in their play than we are.
But I say: Why leave it in the hands of professionals? We amateurs should join in the fun!
Put it on your calendar to get out and play a couple of times this week. And feel free to leave a comment on how playing felt, especially if you snuck off during your workday to do it!
To hear the interview, visit http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/play/.
Wishing you a refreshing and productive (and Playful!) day…
July 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm
[...] creativity | Tags: creative flow, creative living, creativity, flow | 1 Comment In my last post, I talked about Stuart Brown, M.D., who is an expert on the science of play. In his interview, he [...]