Play is a state of mind that is safe, inquisitive and exists in
the moment. It is also a bodily state of relaxation and an
uplifting and engaged emotional state. Some say play is a
spiritual state of profound connection and joy. Play can be
something we do by ourselves or with others, but it is also
something we can watch others do. Play is often described as a
time when we feel most alive, yet we often take it for granted
and may completely forget about it. Play can be entirely
positive, or have a negative.
Most people believe that play is unproductive, and therefore
inferior to \”productive\” activities. Perhaps this is because we
equate play with feeling -happy joyous feeling -that
traditionally is seen as less important than thinking. Many of
us have lists, at home and at the office, prioritizing tasks by
how productive they are. When we run out of time, we cut the fun
stuff and do the \”productive\” stuff because we may feel guilty
or bad if we play hooky or goof off by playing a game of golf or
chess, taking a hike in the woods or daydreaming for an hour.
New research on the brain contradicts this cultural dismissal of
play, by emphasizing the importance of feelings and the
necessity of feeling safe and relaxed in order to think clearly
and productively. Play teaches us how to manage and transform
our \”negative\” emotions and experiences; it supercharges
learning, and is a foundational factor in good mental and
physical health. And, it can make work more pleasurable.
How can play trigger the flow state?
Psychiatrist and writer Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, (pronounced
\”chicks send me high\”) studied play in Sidney, Australia and
described it as a flow state that requires just the right
balance of challenge and opportunity. If the game is too hard or
too easy, it loses its sense of pleasure and fun. Maintaining a
flow state in games with others requires all participants,
regardless of age or ability, to feel challenged, but not
overwhelmed. Csikszentmihalyi\’s research has been undertaken and
confirmed in several countries, and now reaches 250,000 surveys.
In the flow state we feel:
Why is play an important part of our lives?
Humans are designed by nature to play, and have played
throughout evolution. Playfulness is an inborn ability that is
hardwired into our genetic code. Play is part of how humans have
adapted and survived everywhere on Earth, from the tropics to
the great deserts to the Arctic Circle. We want to play because
it is instinctive and fundamental to our existence; it is one of
the evolutionary mechanisms that enabled us to develop as a
species. Playing helps us survive by connecting us to other
human beings and to sources of energy and excitement within
ourselves. Play is simultaneously a source of calmness and
relaxation, as well as a source of stimulation for the brain and
body.
Play will be important to our future. Some futurists have said
that we\’ll need to be more inventive, creative, and flexible to
handle the tasks, flow and rhythm of life in this century and
beyond. A sure (and fun) way to develop these abilities is to
play – with your children and grandchildren, your officemates
and friends.
Why is it important to play at work?
When researchers follow pre-teen children\’s attitude about play,
they discovered that some children called almost everything they
did \”play\” while others called almost everything they did
\”work\”. Reconnecting with the children at the end of
adolescence, the children who thought of everything as play were
more successful and happier in school and were more content
socially than the people who saw everything as \”work\”.
Success at work does not depend on the amount of time you work.
It depends upon the quality of work, and the quality of work
depends on the level of well-being of the workers. The level of
well-being depends significantly on the how often they replenish
themselves through play in any of its forms. Work is where we
spend much of our time. That is why it is especially important
for us to play during work. Without some recreation, our work
suffers. Most of us have been working faster, harder, and
smarter, and with diminishing free time. We first thought that
working faster, harder, and smarter would handle our increased
workload, but that is not the case. We still got behind and
became chronically overwhelmed. When the project you\’re working
on hits a serious glitch (as they frequently do), heading out to
the basketball court with your colleagues to shoot some hoops
and have a few laughs does a lot more than take your mind off
the problem. If basketball isn\’t your cup of tea, having a model
airplane contest, telling stories, or flying kites in the
parking lot will also allow your relationship to the problem to
shift and enable you to approach it from a new perspective.
Interjecting play into the work cycle:
keeps you sane and functional during times of stress; refreshes
your mind and body; renews hope; triggers creativity; and
increases energy. Playing non-violent computer games can be a
great way to relax and combat stress, at home and at work, by
children and adults. There are many sites on the Internet with
free or resonable priced non-violent computer games, such as: Fun Games Plaza , Kids
Games , Addic
ting Games or Amic
Games.
About the author:
Alexandru Marias is an IT student mentaining software sites:
www.amicutilities.com , www.downloadsplaza.com