I’M GLAD YOU ASKED.
You might think I’m just some goofball standing on the rooftops about play, but I promise I’m not the only one.
There’s more and more studies behind why joy and play are truly essential to our wellbeing.
Stress Reduction
Okay, let’s get nerdy for a sec. In one study, rats that roughhoused and wrestled didn’t just have fun—they actually built resilience to stress. Like, literal emotional armor.
When life threw curveballs their way, the playful rats handled it like tiny furry Zen masters. The non-playful ones? Not so chill.
"Play trains your nervous system to bounce back faster."
Your Brain on Play
When you play, your brain lights up like Times Square. But here's the twist—it’s not the anxious parts flaring up, it’s the reward system. That means more dopamine (feel-good juice) without the burnout.
"Translation: You’re not “wasting time” playing. You’re literally optimizing your brain for joy, motivation, and focus."
The Playful Are More Chill
One study surveyed nearly 900 college students and found that the more playful you are, the less stress you feel. And not only that—you’re more likely to face stress with a plan instead of panic.
Highly playful students scored lower on perceived stress and were more likely to use proactive coping tools like problem-solving and reaching out for support. AKA: Play = Inner CEO energy.
So What Does This Mean?
Play isn't some fluff activity reserved for kids and vacation days—it's a full-on stress-slaying superpower. It's free. It's fun. And it's been hardwired into us by evolution for a reason.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or low-energy, try dancing around your room for 3 minutes. Doodle something dumb. Make up a song about your snack. You’re not avoiding stress—you’re alchemizing it.
More Benefits of Play
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Studies show body and brain cannot tell the difference between genuine and fake laughter
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SO! Even if you’re not actually laughing genuinely, I encourage you to participate with your fake laughter - really coming into this space with an open heart and open mind
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Even just hearing laughter helps people relax!
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Improves sleep quality!
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Laughter releases endorphins
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Decreases cortisol (stress)
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Increases dopamine and serotonin (happy hormones)
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Can help to decrease sadness
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Shared laughter builds connection <3
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Part of how we feel closer and more connected and trusting of one another
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Releases oxytocin - the bonding hormone (also released when cuddling/hugging <3)
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Decreases blood pressure
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Increased pain tolerance - studies showed subjects showed an increase in tolerance to pain after laughing at a funny film
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Can potentially give us a cardiovascular workout - increasing our heart rate and blood pressure while doing it, giving heart and lungs a good workout
Some Research Links To Ignite Your Play Studies:
"The Impact of Play on Stress" - National Institute for Play
https://nifplay.org/play-note/play-stress/
"Neuroscience and learning through play" - Lego
https://cde-lego-cms-prod.azureedge.net/media/zbcd21td/neuroscience-review_web.pdf
"A Play At Work Intervention: What are the benefits?"
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341698763_A_play-at-work_intervention_What_are_the_benefits
Hungry to Learn More About Play?!
Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
by Stuart Brown, M.D. with Christopher Vaughan
The Power of Fun
by Catherine Price
Playful Intelligence - The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World
by: Anthony T. DeBenedet
Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time
By: Brigid Schulte
Beyond Love and Work: Why Adults Need to Play
By: Lenore Terr MD
To find more resources in the Library of Play
