We all need to play more

Play, that thing we did when we were kids, those activities we pursued simply because it brought us enjoyment, is lacking in our adult lives. As we age into adulthood, play is devalued, and considered non-productive. How many of us are “too busy” when our kids ask us to play? Guilty. 🙋

Seemingly the work of kids, play is an important way that kids learn, develop skills from hand-eye coordination to fine motor skills to social-emotional skills. But what if play was helpful for adults too?

Spoiler alert: play is critical for our health and wellness as adults! According to the National Institute for Play (yes, that’s a thing), “Over the last 30 years, science has shown that play is very productive for humans at any age; we need play to keep our brains flexible, ward off depression, sustain optimism, and sharpen our social-emotional skills.”

Play is productive and we need it for our health & wellness as adults

We love that mindset shift – play is productive too! One of our favorite ways to incorporate more play into our lives is getting outside with our kids, playing card games like Uno or Play 9, and getting together with friends, especially over delicious beverages.

The last thing we need is one more thing on our to-do list, but here’s the good news – there’s no wrong way to play. Doing anything that energizes you and brings you joy – from playing a card game to throwing a ball to hiking, getting together with friends, or reading a book – counts as play!

Play is so fundamental that neglecting it poses a significant health risk.

The pandemic brought us levels of loneliness & isolation, so much so that the U.S. is currently experiencing a national mental health crisis, according to the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. “Play is so fundamental that neglecting it poses a significant health risk,” says Adam Piore in this Newsweek article. Play is the antidote for loneliness and isolation.

Joy has been one of our core values at the Hive since the beginning, and we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel that joy. Once we relax, that’s when play can begin.

“We don’t stop playing because we get older; we get older because we stop playing,” Bernard Shaw famously wrote. When we take time and play, not only are we connecting with others, we are also stimulating our imagination, improving our emotional well-being, supercharging our creativity, and enhancing our problem-solving skills.

Infuse your life with Vitamin Play at The Hive Taproom

Are you looking to infuse your life with more Vitamin Play? Join us for Trivia every Thursday. Challenge your friends to a card or board game – borrow one of ours or bring your own. And bee here for live music most Saturday evenings, check out our calendar and enjoy the health benefits of playing!