Let’s explore the importance of play in healing. We’ll dive into what play means, why it's vital, why it can sometimes be hard to play, and how you can start bringing play into your life and healing.

Defining Play

Before we delve into the importance of play, it's crucial to understand what play is. Play is characterized by creativity, inconsequentiality, open-endedness, and fun. It's not so much about what you are doing but how you are doing it. Many activities can be playful depending on your approach.

Play involves creativity; there must be freedom to decide how you engage with an activity. Whether it's molding something out of play dough or making strategic moves in a board game, the essence of play lies in the choices you make. It's not about creating a masterpiece but about exercising agency and choice.

Play must be inconsequential, meaning it carries no significant stakes. Your ego, health, or livelihood shouldn't hinge on the outcome of play. It's an activity done for its own sake without fear of judgment or failure.

Open-endedness is another key aspect of play. There's no right or wrong way to play, which can be liberating, especially for those who struggle with perfectionism. It's about engaging in an activity without worrying about making mistakes.

Finally, play should be fun. However, for individuals with a trauma history, fun might initially feel unsafe. Establishing a sense of safety is essential before play can genuinely be enjoyable.

The Healing Power

of Play

Play plays a pivotal role in healing because it requires a sense of safety. You cannot be in a stress response and play simultaneously. Trauma and chronic stress activate survival instincts, which are incompatible with play.

This creates a challenge: do you play to alleviate stress, or must you calm the stress response to play? The answer lies in a balance between using tools to calm the nervous system and incorporating play to further regulate it. Play discharges stress, activates hope, and is a resourceful tool for healing.

Play facilitates nonverbal exploration of past experiences, particularly those from early childhood. In relational healing, play can strengthen connections and reduce tension. However, relational safety is a prerequisite for play to feel secure and beneficial.

Why Play Can Be Difficult

For many adults, the notion of play is associated with childhood, and as we grow, the importance of play often diminishes. Responsibilities and societal expectations push play aside. This mindset can make it challenging to reconnect with play as adults.

For those who experienced trauma or insecure attachments, play might have been lost prematurely. Additionally, as we begin to play and regulate our nervous systems, unresolved memories or emotions may surface, making play feel risky.

If you encounter resistance to play, don't force it. Instead, explore the resistance with curiosity and validation. Understanding the reasons behind the resistance can help dissolve it and create space for play.

How to Start Playing

Remember, play is a skill and anyone can learn how to play. You may be a beginner, but with practice, you can rediscover the joy of play. Play cannot be forced, so just start small and see what feels achievable.

If you have children or pets, let them guide you into play. You can follow their lead and then bring in your own silliness and creativity.

You can play by yourself, so no one need ever know about what silly things you try. Whether it's tapping a rhythm on the counter or twirling while doing chores- these seemingly insignificant acts can open the door to play.

Bring a sense of joy and goofiness into your daily routine. The aim is to introduce small, playful moments into your life and observe their impact.

Join Us at Soar Camp

This summer, Rebecca Thompson Hitt and I are hosting Soar Camp, a four-day retreat in the Colorado Rockies dedicated to healing and play. It's an opportunity to connect with nature, community, and yourself through various practices that you can continue on your own.

Whether or not you join us at camp, we invite you to join our Soar Camp Kickoff Celebration! The kickoff celebration is free and will include playful healing practices and a chance to learn more about the camp, as well as an exclusive camp discount code only available by attending the kickoff celebration!

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