50 Shades of Play
Two pairs of feet at the end of a bed…
Sometimes, the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘adults playing’ is sex or going out for a few drinks. However, although it can be incredibly fun to play in bed and have a few beers, we can enjoy pausing, playing and connecting to ourselves and others in a plethora of different ways, thus boosting our own mental fitness.
While there isn't a universally agreed-upon categorisation for play, here are some common ways to subdivide types of adult play:
Social Play: This type of play involves interactions and engagement with others. It can include activities like team sports, board games, card games, role-playing games, or any other form of play that involves social interaction and cooperation.
Physical Play: Physical play involves movement, physical exertion, and bodily engagement. This can include activities like sports, dancing, yoga, hiking, running, or any form of physical activity undertaken for the purpose of play and enjoyment.
Expressive Play: This type of play focuses on self-expression, imagination, and creativity. It can involve activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, writing, playing a musical instrument, acting, improvisation, or engaging in any other form of creative expression.
Cognitive Play: Cognitive play emphasizes mental engagement, problem-solving, and intellectual stimulation. This can include activities like puzzles, brainteasers, strategic board games, word games, chess, or any activity that challenges and stimulates the mind.
Exploratory Play: This type of play involves curiosity, discovery, and exploration of the environment. It can include activities like hiking, exploring nature, visiting new places, trying new experiences, experimenting with new hobbies, or engaging in any form of exploration and discovery.
Sensory Play: Sensory play focuses on engaging and stimulating the senses. It can involve activities like playing with sand or water, using sensory toys or materials, engaging in aromatherapy, listening to music, or any activity that provides sensory stimulation and enjoyment.
It's important to note that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and many forms of play can fall into multiple categories. Furthermore, the classification of play types may vary among experts, and different researchers may propose additional or alternative categorizations based on their particular areas of study or interests.
During Play Healing workshops I encourage adults to play in ways that feel aligned and work for them by saying ‘Permission to play your way,’ but sometimes it’s a struggle to know where to start so here are more than 50 different ways you could choose to play today:
Social Play:
Participating in a recreational sports league.
Organizing a game night with friends and playing board games or card games.
Joining a community theater group and participating in improvisation exercises or acting.
Attending a trivia night at a local pub and competing with others.
Engaging in multiplayer video games with friends or online communities.
Participating in a book club and discussing literature with fellow members.
Taking part in a role-playing game campaign with a group of friends.
Joining a choir or musical ensemble and performing together.
Attending dance classes, such as salsa or ballroom, and practicing with partners.
Organizing a themed costume party and encouraging guests to dress up and interact in character.
Physical Play:
Going for a jog or run in a scenic park or along a trail.
Participating in team sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball.
Taking dance classes, such as ballet, hip-hop, or salsa.
Joining a fitness class or boot camp that focuses on high-intensity workouts.
Trying out a new adventure sport like rock climbing, kayaking, or surfing.
Engaging in yoga or Pilates sessions for flexibility and relaxation.
Going on a long hike or backpacking trip in nature.
Playing a game of tennis or badminton with a friend.
Trying out a new form of martial arts, such as karate or jiu-jitsu.
Participating in a group exercise class like Zumba or aerobics.
Expressive Play:
Painting or drawing landscapes, portraits, or abstract art.
Writing short stories, poetry, or journaling.
Learning to play a musical instrument and composing or improvising music.
Participating in community theater productions or improv workshops.
Engaging in photography and exploring different subjects and techniques.
Sculpting or pottery-making with clay or other materials.
Experimenting with cooking or baking and trying out new recipes.
Designing and creating jewelry, clothing, or other crafts.
Taking up woodworking and building furniture or other handmade items.
Practicing calligraphy or hand lettering to create beautiful written artwork.
Cognitive Play:
Solving crossword puzzles or Sudoku.
Participating in strategy board games like chess, Risk, or Settlers of Catan.
Engaging in brain-training apps or online programs.
Learning a new language and practicing conversational skills with native speakers.
Reading and discussing thought-provoking books or joining a book club.
Participating in escape room challenges that require problem-solving skills.
Solving riddles or logic puzzles.
Engaging in philosophical discussions or debates with friends or in a meetup group.
Taking up coding or programming and working on personal coding projects.
Learning and practicing magic tricks or illusions.
Exploratory Play:
Going on a road trip to explore new cities or regions.
Visiting museums, art galleries, or historical landmarks.
Trying out new adventure activities like skydiving or bungee jumping.
Exploring different hiking trails or nature reserves.
Attending workshops or classes to learn new skills or crafts.
Traveling to different countries to experience new cultures and cuisines.
Participating in a guided city tour to discover hidden gems and historical sites.
Trying out new cuisines and restaurants in your local area.
Engaging in geocaching, a real-world treasure hunt using GPS coordinates.
Going on a photography expedition to capture unique and interesting scenes.
Sensory Play:
Creating a relaxing ambiance with scented candles and soothing music.
Playing with kinetic sand or sensory bins filled with textured materials.
Engaging in aromatherapy using essential oils and diffusers.
Attending live music performances or concerts.
Listening to nature sounds or guided meditation recordings.
Trying out different types of massage or self-massage techniques.
Experimenting with different art materials and textures, such as finger painting or clay modeling.
Taking a sensory-focused cooking or baking class to explore flavors and textures.
Engaging in sensory gardening by planting and tending to plants with different textures and smells.
Participating in sound therapy sessions, such as gong baths or singing bowl meditations.
I’d love to hear how you choose to integrate more play into your day - feel free to e-mail me about your relationship with play at debi@playhealing.com or book a call to discuss your next play-based workshop.