CNN Relationships highlights the value of giving up “egos, worries and agendas” to play with our children, play with adults, just plain play.
Elissa Strauss writes (excerpt):
“Play for adults is absolutely necessary if you are going to have a feeling of optimism for the future and sustain mood elevation for a challenging and demanding life,” Brown said, adding that like sleep deprivation, play deprivation has long-term negative outcomes.
“I’ve studied play in depth for years, and I think it should be understood as a necessary public health mandate for kids and adults,” [psychiatrist Dr. Stuart] Brown said. “It is in our nature, preserved through evolution over time, and has a lot to do with our social survival as a species.” Play helps us feel connected to our communities and learn how to cooperate with one another.”