Self-Care Sunday
Regaining a sense of play
This is the latest in my occasional series on the importance of engaging in some self-care in order to help you deal better with the fight against worldwide authoritarianism and fascism.
I'm writing this post on the importance of play for people of all ages at the right moment. As I am writing this Halloween will arrive in a few days, which is the time of the year where people dress in costumes pretending to be someone else. The similar Mexican holiday El Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) arrives on the two days following Halloween, where people dress up in colorful skeleton-themed costumes. Both holidays are descended from the earlier pagan holiday of Samhain, which also involved wearing costumes as people engaged in the final harvest of the year, said goodbye to the warm growing season, honored their deceased loved ones, and prepared for the coming winter months.
In December there are the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, the Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa, which all provide more opportunities for people of all ages to engage in playing all kinds of games and just having fun in general.
What all those holidays have in common is the opportunity to engage in playing. As children we are naturally adept at playing. But, as we get older, we frequently lose that spontaneity. Pressures from school, pressures from the family, peer pressure, and other factors generally contribute to people playing less as they get older.
But there are times when it's necessary to step away from worrying about politics or constantly thinking about the possibility that the current Russian invasion of Ukraine could blow up into World War III.
I first learned about the value of playing for all ages through a friend who works at the Takoma Park Public Library in Takoma Park, Maryland and is involved with a local organization that's based in Takoma Park known as Let's Play America. A few times a year his workplace becomes a venue for a free all-ages event known as Play Day that is put on by Let's Play America. There are costumes that one could try on and wear. There are all kinds of board games available to borrow and play. People can try their hand at playing a musical instrument. Here's a video that I helped a friend with editing in iMovie of some footage that he shot of a Takoma Park Play Day back in 2018.
I was fortunate enough to get even more directly exposed to the importance of engaging in play. In 2019, a year before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Unitarian Universalist congregation had a special Sunday service on playing where we took a break in the middle of Sunday service to engage in play. I shot pictures of that day, which you can view here. It was pretty nice seeing adults and children playing together in a carefree way.
But one doesn't have to wait until a major holiday or attend a special worship service to engage in playing. You can pretty much do it anytime. If you need inspiration, try visiting a local park or playground and observe children at play. Or look at how puppies and kittens play.
Research has long suggested that play is healthy for the development of children's brains and it can lead to healthy adulthood. But adults also need recess as well because studies have shown that playing is how we connect with others and it helps us maintain our social well-being. Studies have also shown that engaging in play helps to maintain memory and thinking skills while lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
The National Institute for Play has additional scientific research in the fields of neuroscience, behavioral science, and ethology research on how playing can enhance your life. The organization also has some very helpful hints on how adults can get into the idea of playing.
Here's my own list on what you can do to play, both on your own and in a group.
Do jigsaw puzzles.
Work on crossword puzzles and other types of puzzle books.
Play video games.
Get involved with a hobby. (See my previous Self-Care Sunday post on taking up a fun hobby for details.)
Play boardgames with family and friends.
Play on a recreational sports team like soccer and softball.
Learn to play a musical instrument (or re-learn if you used to play an instrument but hadn't touched it in years). When you feel ready, consider playing in public either as a solo performer or you can start your own band.
In recent years there have been more boardgame-themed cafes and bars where people play boardgames while drinking. (One such example is The Board and Brew, which is located in College Park, Maryland.) If you have such a place in your area, check it out.
If you want to play boardgames or in a recreational league but you don't have many friends, consider Meetup.com. On that site you can do searches on what kind of play you are interested in and Meetup will tell you what groups are available in your area, how often they meet, and where they meet. It's a perfect way to engage in your interests while meeting new people at the same time.
If you are lucky enough to still have a favorite toy from your childhood, take a look at it, hold it, and even try playing with it. Try to remember the fond memories you had when you played with that toy as a child.
For other tips on how to play, visit the Let's Play America and The National Institute for Play websites.
Other Self-Care Sunday Tips
Contact current friends and make new ones.
Step away from social media for a few hours.
Cultivate a sense of humor and laugh.
Don't ever be afraid to ask for help.
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