Why Play?

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good!”
Dr Seuss

Play is fun, is relaxing, is enjoyable, is inspiring, is developmental….

Mountains of research correlates play with learning, creativity and innovation, stress relief, mental and emotional well-being, employee engagement and wellbeing.

But, we have forgotten how to play, or do not give ourselves permission to play. We deem it silly, not professional, a waste of time — which could be to our health’s detriment. Play does not need to take up a bulk of scheduled time — it could be incorporated in our daily lives and during work hours. Be it a few minutes, a playful attitude could go a long way, especially if we were aware of the use of object-relations (e.g. the figurines or decorations at our workspace) in enhancing our performance.

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POWER OF PLAY

  • Play ignites fun, allows us to enjoy life, and reduces stress
  • Play is strongly correlated with learning, innovation, and creativity
  • When playful, the brain secretes neurotophins that helps reduce anxiety
  • When relaxed, one can sharpen focus, boost productivity, and cope with stress
  • With a playful culture, employees become engaged and increases their loyalty at work
  • Play helps us become adaptable and resilient in the agile environment
  • The power of playfulness can improve individual productivity, team cohesion, group dynamics, and organizational culture.

PROMOTING PLAYFULNESS

Playfulness is a means: a tool to illustrate concepts of stress management, to inspire creativity, to bring awareness to the self.

Playfulness is a catalyst: to assimilate corporate culture, to enhance office and workspace designs for increased productivity, to build team cohesion, to elicit the strength of thoughts from the unconscious mind for heightened awareness.

Playfulness is an ends: an attitude to incorporate into daily lives and work for mental and emotional well-being.

FOR FURTHER READING ON THE BENEFITS OF PLAYFULNESS: