The importance of play in healing
Play is one of the fundamentals of childhood. Play allows for self expression, creativity, socialization, builds self esteem, establish a sense of safety and so much more! While play is often at the center of our experience as children, it is more often than not “lost” or replaced by “responsibilities” in adulthood. Rather than engaging in activities that allow us to play, we tend to place more focus on our daily tasks in a more serious and rigid way. However, play is just as important for adults as it is for children!
When you experience trauma, low self esteem, anxiety, depression or any mental health issue, there is often a loss of something. Whether it be a loss of safety, internal peace, joy, a will to live, confidence, etc, there is often the experience that something is “missing.” Maybe as you notice the impact some of these experiences have had and continue to have in your life you seek out to begin your healing journey. More often than not, that involves going to therapy, processing your experiences, finding coping skills - all of which can seem very serious and almost as a chore. While all of those are important and will definitely support you on your healing journey, it is just as, if not more important to do the “less serious” things as well. And that is where play comes into the picture…
As mentioned before, play has SO MANY benefits, not only as children but as adults as well. Play can help you:
establish safety
build relationships
explore your sense of self and esteem
increase creativity and your ability to “daydream”
All of which are very key points in the healing process!
Play can take on many form and what I feel is most important is to find ways of playing that resonate with YOU! Stay tuned for my next blog post on ways in which you can practice engaging in play!
