A Tool for New Neural Networks
I come back to an excellent book by Dr. Stuart Brown called: Play, How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. In his research, he explains why play is not just for children. It’s also vital for adults. According to Dr. Brown, play is nature’s most excellent tool for creating new neural networks and reconciling cognitive difficulties. Neuroscience literature shows that REM sleep and play share similar brain stem evolutionary biological patterns. It not only creates new patterns; it sparks curiosity, a focused observation, and finding the uncommon amongst the common – all of which foster a state of play! Sadly, our culture tends to push people away from play or shame people into rejecting it because it doesn’t understand the human need for it.
It can be simple to develop if we are open to looking at ourselves and reflecting with a sense of lightness about our opportunities. In doing so, we find a way to play. However, according to Dr. Brown, when we lack that feeling of lightness in what we do, it can be observed as a warning sign. Don’t get me wrong, our working life is essential, but many times, the day-to-day creates more stress and anxiety than it deserves.
“People tend to reach their highest levels of discipline because they are driven by love, fun, and play,” says Dr. Brown. When we can practice shifting to a state of curiosity and playfulness, it can disguise the sense of urgency linked to work anxiety. As someone with a solid work ethic, I have experienced this firsthand. My work is essential, but it is not something I need to sacrifice my health over – a practice I am working on. So in remembering the importance of lighting our mental load, the practice of play is vital.
“True mastery over a lifetime comes from one’s internal play compass.”
~Stuart Brown, MD
More Play, Please
Play not only shows our common humanity but also supports our abilities to navigate a world of constant change. Most animals grow new nerve connections extensively through the juvenile period. In humans, however, we can keep our brains in tip-top shape through the act of play long after adolescence. Dr. Brown’s research shows that play supports the following:
- new neural connections
- social interaction and learning
- developing skills and talents
- emotional resilience and creativity
- fosters innovation
- learning and memory
There are many types of play – movement, object, imaginative, social, friendship and belonging, rough-and-tumble, celebratory, ritual, storytelling, narrative, and creative play. All forms of play help free us from established patterns. Lifelong play is central to our continued well-being, adaptation, and social cohesiveness. Dr. Brown said, “play is like fertilizer for brain growth. It’s crazy not to use it.”
Play is like fertilizer for brain growth. It’s crazy not to use it.”
~Stuart Brown, MD
Reclaiming Play
How does one tap back into the feeling of authentic play? According to Dr. Brown, the body remembers what the mind has forgotten, and movement can help us dust off our mental conditioning. Since movement is the first thing we do in our early development, it can also be the first step we take towards reclaiming play. Is there one thing you can visualize from your past that might work for you currently towards regaining a sense of play? Dr. Brown emphasizes that you must do your best to remember and feel the emotion. Feeling the emotion can be an excellent vehicle for lifting you out of a play-deficient existence. Hold it gently.
When we set out to incorporate more play into our life, we can also observe that with play comes times of discomfort. It’s important to realize that every experience has both pleasure and pain. Meaning, that following your passion might be challenging, exhausting, demanding, confusing, or even tedious, but not suffering. The memories we create through play are far more significant than any difficulty we encounter as we play throughout our lifetime. Most importantly, we are acting in harmony with our truth. And if so, the result will always be productive.
