Why Adults Need Play and How to Bring More Whimsy Into Your Life

American society is currently experiencing a widespread play drought, marked by shrinking attention spans, rising polarization, and an increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for communication rather than human interaction, according to Mia Sundstrom, CEO of the National Institute for Play.

Sundstrom told Vox that everyday life feels increasingly overwhelming for many people. In response, she noted that spontaneous bursts of playfulness are beginning to infiltrate society as a direct rebellion against hard and scary conditions. This collective desire for levity helps explain the recent surge in whimsical online content, unconventional workout classes, and experiential events.

The National Institute for Play defines play as both a state of mind, marked by experimentation and risk-taking, and a disposition characterized by a curious, creative, and optimistic approach to the world. Research indicates that playful people perceive less stress and enjoy higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction. To help adults reintroduce levity into their routines, Sundstrom outlines three distinct strategies.

Figure out your personal play style

Play is highly subjective, meaning an activity that brings joy to one person might feel miserable to another. Sundstrom cautions that activities offering only moderate enjoyment, such as mindlessly scrolling on a mobile phone, do not necessarily foster true well-being or playful states.

To help individuals identify activities that genuinely light them up, the National Institute for Play has categorized human behavior into six distinct play styles. For example, creators engage with play through art, music, design, and performance, while competitors prefer structured games and sports.

For adults struggling to identify their preferred style, Sundstrom recommends recalling early memories of play from childhood or youth.

Keep that image sharp in your mind, because play represents our authentic identity before society defines our expectations.

Mia Sundstrom

Picking up abandoned childhood hobbies with zero expectations can help adults reconnect with their younger selves and rediscover a natural sense of wonder.

Make physical environments more conducive to play

Physical surroundings can be easily upgraded at low or no cost to encourage daily playfulness based on an individual’s specific style. Sundstrom suggests introducing bright colors or inspiring imagery to physical spaces as visual cues that trigger a playful state of mind. Simple modifications might include keeping scrap paper nearby for casual doodling during phone calls, organizing documents in brightly colored folders, or swapping a standard computer keyboard for a colorful alternative.

Adults who interact with children can adopt a childlike mindset rooted in curiosity and wonder. For those without children in their lives, Sundstrom advises drawing inspiration from a past, childlike version of oneself and making decisions from that perspective. Furthermore, parents—particularly mothers—often feel pressured to curate elaborate, high-octane experiences for children, but Sundstrom notes that a playful environment can simply involve an inside joke, a wink when leaving a room, or a silly greeting.

Incorporate bite-sized versions of play into daily routines

Once an individual determines what brings them fulfillment—such as the explorer style, which thrives on adventure and new experiences—they can integrate micro-doses of play into their ordinary schedules. Sundstrom highlights that brief, spontaneous actions are entirely sufficient for triggering brain activations that build resilience and creativity.

A thirty-second dance session, singing along loudly to a favorite track, or inventing a special greeting as you walk out the door provides all the fuel necessary to ignite that sense of play.

Mia Sundstrom

Moments of boredom offer the ideal opportunity to infuse play into the day. Sundstrom recommends placing mobile devices in another room during downtime. When the urge to check a phone arises, individuals can instead practice speaking in a new accent or tune into a random radio station to imagine what the musical artist looks like, taking active ownership over the amount of whimsy they bring into the world.