Unlocking the Cognitive Benefits of Play

Playing is one of the defining characteristics of children. They run around in circles, bang things together, and jump in puddles for no reason other than to have fun.

Play is seen as normal and natural in children and a powerful way to learn. But as we get older, we begin to see play as unnecessary and even frivolous, chastising ourselves for playing video games when we could be doing something more productive. But play is more than just a way to unwind and de-stress. Fitting playtime into your day, on the other hand, is essential for working productively. Play is an entire emotional system necessary for both child development and adult creativity, and research shows that it increases job satisfaction, creativity, and innovation.

More importantly, play prepares us for the unexpected by broadening the range of experiences from which to draw when faced with new challenges.

According to research, play induces a milder version of a threat state. The brain releases norepinephrine, activating the body's fight-or-flight response, just as it would in an emergency. However, unlike the actual threat state we enter in the presence of real danger, the play does not cause cortisol to be released.

The science of play

Like other basic drives like eating or having sex, play is inherently pleasurable. But what makes it enjoyable? What evolutionary function does it fulfill?

The most scientifically plausible explanation is that play teaches us how to deal with the unexpected. Because the world is unpredictable, we must develop novel social and motor responses to adapt to new situations to survive. Play is a method of experimenting with combinations to see what works and developing adaptable behavioral reactions to unexpected events.

For example, in a study of otters, researchers rewarded the mammals with food when they swam through a hoop. Soon after, the otters began experimenting, attempting various variations, and evaluating the outcome.

Humans engage in play for the same reason: to experiment with and develop flexible behavioral responses to unexpected events. We play, however, because it is fundamentally social; it is one of the best ways to connect with another person because our brains sync up, a state is known as neural synchrony.

Consider flirting on a first date. You could inquire about your date's origins and whether they have brothers or sisters. However, things may improve if you create your banter, such as guessing where they're from and how many siblings they have through a game of 20 questions.

Problem solved with play.

Researchers have long observed that using brute force is ineffective when confronted with a complex problem. Allow yourself some downtime by taking a shower or going for a walk and letting your mind wander. On the other hand, playing is another way to get away from the problem. For example, playing air hockey for five minutes is not a waste of time. Instead, it can be a powerful way to shift your perspective and set the stage for insight.

Get competitive

When you add a little friendly competition to even the most mundane tasks, they can become enjoyable. Exercising to lose weight can be a chore, but getting the same workout as playing volleyball becomes enjoyable. At work, try a similar approach. Suppose your team is struggling to develop a name for a new product instead of simply having a brainstorming session. In that case, you could use parallel processing to see who can come up with the most ideas in 60 seconds or award a prize for the funniest, most attention-grabbing name. By introducing a competitive element, you will not only generate better pictures, but you will also make work more enjoyable.

Make it silly

You could use rote repetition to memorize a presentation or a set of facts. You'll have more fun and probably remember it better if you turn it into a song or draw silly pictures next to each bullet. People don't understand that play does not have to be time away from work. Any activity can be made enjoyable simply by making it playful.

Conclusion

1. Play is essential for our overall cognitive health and can help us navigate workplace challenges.

1. Play can help us mentally reassess our progress, allowing us to experiment and value progress with less fear of failure.

1. We retain more cognitive energy and are more predisposed to innovation when we minimize stakes and a sense of threat.