Creating When

Create the Life and Work You Want

Play

Play: Embrace Playfulness

Play

I have seen first-hand the transformative power of play in both personal and professional settings. Whether it’s taking a break to play a game or incorporating playfulness into a work project, embracing it can lead to greater creativity, productivity, and overall fulfillment. When I was researching how to cure my burnout, I found that play was critical to my healing journey.

In this article, we will explore the concept of play, the benefits it offers physically, mentally, and emotionally, and how it can enhance learning, relationships, and problem-solving skills. We will also examine the power of play in the workplace and provide tips on how to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Power of Play | Creating When
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

The Concept of Play

At its core, play is any activity engaged in for enjoyment or pleasure. It can take many forms, from sports and games to creative pursuits like drawing or music. It is often associated with childhood, but it is important to recognize that playfulness is a natural part of human behavior and should continue throughout our lives.

The Benefits of Play

Physically

Playfulness has numerous physical benefits, especially when it involves physical activity. Regular playing can improve cardiovascular health, boost energy levels, and enhance motor skills. It can also help to reduce the risk of certain health problems such as obesity and diabetes.

Mentally

It is also essential for mental wellbeing. Playing has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. Playfulness can help to foster creativity and imagination, leading to new ideas and solutions to problems.

Emotionally

It can also have a significant emotional impact. It can help to build self-esteem and confidence, promote social connections, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Playfulness can also help to enhance empathy and understanding, leading to stronger relationships and greater emotional intelligence.

The Role of Play in Learning and Development

Children learn through playing, but its benefits extend beyond childhood. Playfulness can enhance learning and development throughout our lives. When we engage in it, we are actively exploring, experimenting, and problem-solving. Playfulness can help to foster curiosity and a love of learning, leading to greater academic success and lifelong learning.

How Playfulness Can Enhance Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

It’s not just fun and games! It can also be a powerful tool for enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills. When we are playing, we are often forced to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and find unique solutions to problems. Playfulness can help to break down mental barriers and encourage us to take risks, leading to greater innovation and success.

The Importance of Play in Relationships and Social Interactions

Play is also essential for building and maintaining strong relationships. Playing together can help to build trust, promote communication, and foster a sense of camaraderie. Playfulness can also help to diffuse tension and conflict, leading to more positive and productive social interactions.

Boosting Productivity and Reducing Stress

Power of Play in the Workplace | Creating When
Photo by Antonio Gabola on Unsplash

Incorporating playfulness into the workplace can have numerous benefits for both employees and organizations. It can help to reduce stress and burnout, boost creativity and productivity, and enhance team dynamics. When employees are encouraged to be creative, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged, leading to greater job satisfaction and retention.

Benefits of Incorporating Play in Your Daily Routine

Incorporating play into your daily routine can have numerous benefits for your overall wellbeing. Playfulness can help to reduce stress, boost mood and energy levels, and improve cognitive function. We can cultivate greater creativity, resilience, and a sense of purpose in our lives.

Check out more from research and author Stuart Brown.

How to Embrace Playfulness in Your Life and Career

Incorporating playfulness into your life and career does not have to be difficult. Some simple tips include taking breaks to engage in physical activity or creative pursuits, incorporating play into work projects or team-building activities, and seeking out opportunities to learn and explore new ideas.

In conclusion, embracing playfulness can have a profound impact on our lives and careers. By recognizing the benefits of play and making time for play in our daily routines, we can cultivate greater creativity, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Whether it’s engaging in physical activity, exploring new ideas, or simply having fun, playfulness is a key ingredient for a fulfilling life and career.

Let’s make a commitment to embrace playfulness in our lives and careers. Whether it’s taking a break to play a game or incorporating play into a work project, let’s recognize the transformative power of play and the positive impact it can have on our overall wellbeing.

Learn more about our community

Sign up to join the Creating When Community

Learn More

Power of Awe: Boost Your Happiness

Play

While there are many factors that contribute to happiness, one powerful and often overlooked emotion is awe. Awe has the ability to shift our perspective and boost our happiness, and it is something that anyone can experience with a little effort. In this article, I will explore the science behind awe, its benefits, and provide tips on how to cultivate the awe emotion in your daily life.

Power of Awe for Happiness | Creating When
Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

What is Awe and Why is it Important for Happiness?

Awe is a complex emotion that occurs when we encounter something that is vast, overwhelming, or beyond our understanding. It is often associated with experiences in nature, such as viewing a breathtaking sunset or standing at the edge of a grand canyon. However, it can also be triggered by human achievements, such as witnessing a masterful musical performance or hearing an inspiring speech.

Awe is important for happiness because it has the ability to shift our focus away from our own concerns and towards something greater than ourselves. This can lead to feelings of connection, meaning, and purpose, which are all key components of happiness. Additionally, it has been shown to reduce stress and increase pro-social behavior, further contributing to our overall well-being.

The Science Behind Awe: Research and Studies

There is a growing body of research exploring the science of awe. One study conducted by psychologists at the University of California, Berkeley found that experiencing awe can expand our perception of time and make us feel like we have more time to spare. This can lead to feelings of contentment and lower levels of stress.

Another study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who experienced more awe in their daily lives reported higher levels of life satisfaction and well-being. Additionally, these individuals were more likely to engage in prosocial behavior, such as volunteering or helping others.

Interested in more research? Check out this book by Dacher Keltner.

Benefits

In addition to boosting happiness and well-being, experiencing wonder has a number of other benefits. For example, it can increase creativity and improve problem-solving abilities. This is because it encourages us to think in new and unconventional ways, which can lead to innovative solutions.

Awe can also improve our physical health. One study found that people who experienced the feeling more frequently had lower levels of interleukin-6, a marker of inflammation that is associated with a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

How to Cultivate the Awe Emotion

Fortunately, experiencing wonder is something that anyone can do with a little effort. Here are some tips for cultivating the emotion in your daily life:

  1. Spend time in nature: Spending time in natural environments, such as parks, beaches, or forests, is one of the most reliable ways to experience awe. Take a walk or hike in a beautiful location and pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
  2. Seek out new experiences: Trying new things, whether it’s a new food, activity, or hobby, can help you experience awe by exposing you to new perspectives and ideas.
  3. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware of your surroundings and experience them with greater depth and appreciation.
  4. Look for wonder in everyday life: Awe doesn’t always have to come from grand or exotic experiences. You can experience it in everyday moments, such as watching a child learn something new or witnessing a random act of kindness.

Tips for Incorporating Awe into Your Daily Life

In addition to cultivating the awe emotion, there are also ways to incorporate awe into your daily life. Here are some tips:

  1. Create an awe-inspiring space: Surround yourself with things that inspire you, such as art, music, or photographs of natural wonders.
  2. Plan awe-inspiring experiences: Make a bucket list of inspiring experiences you would like to have, such as visiting a national park or attending a symphony.
  3. Share awe with others: Sharing inspiring experiences with others can deepen your connection and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.

Sample Size of Me

There are countless stories of people who have experienced the power of awe and how it has transformed their lives. Personally, I am a busy working mother who was feeling burnt out and stressed. I make a conscious effort to be sure that I put myself in moments of awe and wonder as often as possible. For me, this usually results in traveling, and getting myself out into the world. I want to find myself in the middle of the ocean, mesmerized by the light hitting the ripples on the water. Or, I want to catch that mind-blowing sunset fade into the lake. Or, it’s the sound and feeling of the soft dirt on a hike in Sedona. In each of these situations, I recognize how small my problems are in the grand scheme of things and feel a renewed sense of purpose and perspective.

Effects on Mindset and Well-Being

From a psychological perspective, awe is an emotion that can have a profound impact on our mindset and well-being. When we experience it, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can lead to feelings of happiness and contentment.

There is a mindfulness that comes with experiencing wonder. You are fully present, and it almost puts you in a meditative state. If you’re mesmerized by the beauty of a sunset, there is nothing else that you mind is wandering to. You are just here, taking it all in.

Awe can also change the way we perceive ourselves and our place in the world. By shifting our focus away from ourselves and towards something greater, we may realize that our problems and concerns are relatively small in the grand scheme of things. This can lead to a more positive and optimistic outlook on life.

How It Can Shift Our Perspective and Boost Our Happiness

The wonder effect is the profound shift in perspective that can occur when we experience awe. This shift can lead to a number of positive outcomes, including increased happiness, creativity, and pro-social behavior.

The effect can also help us put our problems and concerns into perspective. When we experience awe, we realize that there is something greater than ourselves in the world, whether it’s the beauty of nature or the achievements of others. This can help us let go of our worries and focus on the things that truly matter.

The Power of Happiness and the Role of Awe in Achieving It

In conclusion, happiness is a complex emotion that can be influenced by a variety of factors. However, one powerful and often overlooked factor is awe. By cultivating the emotion and incorporating awe-inspiring experiences into our daily lives, we can shift our perspective and boost our happiness.

So, take some time to experience awe today. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, trying something new, or simply appreciating the beauty of everyday life, the power of awe is within your reach.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with others who may benefit from it. And if you have any tips or stories about experiencing awe, please share them in the comments below.

Related Content: Connect and join our Creating When Community. Looking for coaching, contact me.

More Content