The Importance of Play for Adults

Yesterday, Nay from Moonangelnay sent in an excellent comment regarding the article that discussed how to help our children get through vapor lock when there was too much going on in their young minds.

Nay alluded to an interesting point that I want to discuss in further detail. Nay agreed that there is a need to allow our children (and I quote)…

…to learn about the real world which is easily achievable through constructive and creative play, and not through forcing them to think like an adult.

To think like an “adult”…

This statement makes me sad, as it suggests that adults no longer use constructive and creative play as a tool to solve issues in their daily life. In fact, “play” is important in all stages of our lives. Playing, be it with board games, dressing up like Batman, or running an imaginary pet store can be an exercise in learning, experimenting, and sharpening our skills. It also produces a positive emotional response that further encourages us to try new things, think of different ways to solve issues, and provides us with a higher level of emotional and mental flexibility. Not to mention maturity and confidence.

Through play, we grow, and when you are a “big person”, you are far from done growing. Life will continue to challenge and provide opportunities to make your life bigger and richer.

Nay’s little boy sounds like a brilliant, creative, confident little geek! There are days where I feel like none of that, and I’m in my 30’s. Do I need to play more? Yes, most assuredly. As an adult, I have lots of responsibilities and these can weigh me down. Mortgage payments, raising my children, working the J.O.B….it never ends. We take on more as adults, and sadly, I think we lose track and set aside what was important to us as children to make room for what we think takes priority as an adult.

An adult is nothing more than “bigger kid”, in my opinion. What is good for the young is good for the old. Do take the time to “play”, be it a video game, a board game with friends, or enjoying a hobby. I suggested that adults should never “grow up” and I am sticking to that suggestion as best I can.

Now, where are my Transformers. Megatron is going down, baby!

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About Cyrus

Editor in Chief, Owner/Operator, Board Game Fanatic, Father of Three, and Nice Guy, Cyrus has always enjoyed board, card, miniature, role playing, and video games, but didn't get back into the hobby seriously until early 2000. Once he did, however, he was hooked. He now plays board games with anyone and everyone he can, but enjoys playing with his children the most. Video games continue to be of real interest, but not as much as dice and little miniatures. As he carefully navigates the ins and outs of parenting, he does his very best to bestow what wisdom he has and help nurture his children's young minds. It is his hope and ambition to raise three strong, honorable men who will one day go on to do great things and buy their Mom and Dad a lobster dinner. Cyrus goes by the handle fathergeek on Board Game Geek. You can also check him out on CyrusKirby.com. Yes, he has a URL that is his name. His ego knows no bounds, apparently....

5 Responses to The Importance of Play for Adults

  1. I agree, adults should play more…. Sometimes I just have a hard time fining time.

    I am an new follower from Friday Follow Over 40. Would appreciate it if you could stop over and check me out…..maybe follow me back.

    I am giving away a Mrs Santa Claus Apron to one of my followers on December 12.

  2. Hi just calling by from your latest follower Via Friday Blog hops. Love meeting new bloggers. Hope you are having a end of the week.Be sure to check my blog out http://www.jamarahcraftycreations.blogspot.com
    Sarah.

  3. Adults play more = awesome!
    I followed 🙂 as part of Over 40 FF Blog Hop.

  4. I so agree with you, Father Geek! We, adults, need to give up to our child self a bit more. One of the ways that the husband and I accomplish that is by getting on our cruiser bikes and pedal around our area. Yay for play! 🙂
    Su-sieee! Mac
    This and That. Here and There. Now, Sometimes Then.

    • Cyrus says:

      Yes, excellent point, Susie Mac. “Play” can be anything that allows you to be creative and happy.

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