10 Ways to Tap into Your Inner Child Through Play
“Adults don’t have the time for play…”
What if I told you that play was therapeutic? If a health professional prescribed you a regular dose of play, would you relive the joys of youth to heal?
Most adults scoff at the notion of reintroducing play into their lives. Yet, the importance of adult play has been a popular topic in psychological research. Research suggests that tapping into your inner child and embracing adult play can have significant benefits on mental health. The consensus among researchers is that incorporating play into your schedule reduces stress and releases endorphins. Engaging in play also encourages healing mental states such as mindfulness and flow.
As a child, did you ever get lost for hours in your lush imaginary worlds? Do you miss your imaginative skills and creativity? Play can help with that too. Regular play can reconnect your current self to the inner creativity and focus (“flow”) you may have lost over the years. Reclaiming your childlike creativity can also help you address mental barriers to find liberation and confidence in your creative work.
Adult play can take on many different forms, including physical, emotional and intellectual. Play can also look different for each person with the definition of “fun” being subjective. Take a moment to reflect on the activities you enjoyed as a child. What does play look like for you? Now, consider how you might reintroduce these activities back into your life. How does play fit into your schedule?
Channel your inner child with these delightfully nostalgic activities and ideas to reduce stress and boost endorphins.
Physical Play
Reach for the clouds on the swing set at your local park
Skip or run to your heart’s content
Have a dance party in your underwear
Paint your nails a crazy color
Take a class on something you’ve always wanted to learn
Emotional/Intellectual Play
Re-watch movies from your childhood
Spark your creativity with painting, sketching or DIY crafts
Re-read the books that helped shape who you are today
Encourage make-believe play with imaginative games or stories
Be present with your children or younger family members
The key aspect of adult play is to recreate playful activities in sustainable ways that make sense for your routine and lifestyle. That might look like approaching your current hobbies and activities with the playfulness of youth. You can make your evening jogs fun and pretend zombies or Jurassic dinosaurs are chasing you. Go for a hike or a bike ride but don’t make it about the workout gains. Enjoy mindful walks and open yourself up to distractions. Observe the plants and trees you wouldn't normally pay attention to; feel the textures of the leaves or imagine the trees dancing in the wind.
Adult play is everything you make it out to be, and the advantages can be transcendental for the mind’s ability to self-regulate and heal. Tapping into your inner child and rediscovering the joys of youth has undeniable benefits for your health and wellbeing. Reintroduce playful activities into your life to recapture your childlike excitement and curiosity.
Monica Gill is equal parts writer, bookworm, and anthropologist at heart with a penchant for discussing topics from an anthropological, business, and biological perspective. Monica’s work expresses her passion for health & wellness with integrative and cultural angles.
