When people think about improving their mental health, they often think of therapy, meditation, exercise, or better sleep.
Rarely do they think of play.
Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us begin to believe that play is something we’re supposed to outgrow. We become focused on responsibilities, productivity, and checking items off our never-ending to-do lists.
But our brains—and our nervous systems—never outgrow the need for play.
What Is Play?
Play is any activity you do primarily because it’s enjoyable, engaging, or meaningful—not because you’re trying to accomplish something.
Play isn’t about being good at something. It’s about being present.
For one person, play might mean hiking in nature. For another, it’s surfing, pickleball, golfing, running, dancing, painting, playing an instrument, building Lego sets, bowling, gardening, or spending an evening laughing over a board game.
Yes—even video games can qualify as healthy play.
While excessive gaming can certainly become problematic, moderate gaming can provide relaxation, problem-solving opportunities, social connection, and a healthy escape for many people. Like most things, balance matters.
The Psychology of Flow
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduced the concept of flow, a mental state in which we’re completely absorbed in an activity.
When we’re in flow:
- Time seems to disappear.
- We stop ruminating.
- Self-consciousness fades.
- We become fully engaged in the present moment.
Many forms of play naturally create flow.
Whether you’re navigating a hiking trail, focused on returning a pickleball serve, immersed in a strategy board game, or trying to beat your personal best while running, your brain gets a welcome break from worry.
Why Play Is Therapeutic
Research suggests that play can support mental health in a number of ways.
It helps regulate the nervous system.
Play encourages relaxation and helps shift us out of chronic stress mode. Moments of joy, curiosity, and laughter send our brains the message that we’re safe.
It builds resilience.
When we play, we experiment, adapt, and recover from mistakes. We practice flexibility instead of perfectionism.
It strengthens relationships.
Shared laughter creates connection. Whether it’s bowling with coworkers, playing cards with family, or competing in a friendly pickleball match, play reminds us that relationships aren’t built only through serious conversations—they’re also built through shared experiences.
It sparks creativity.
Play activates curiosity and imagination, helping us think more flexibly when facing life’s challenges.
It reminds us that joy matters.
Many adults spend years believing they need to earn rest or happiness.
Play challenges that belief.
Joy doesn’t have to be productive to be valuable.
“I Don’t Have Time.”
This is probably the most common response.
But play doesn’t require an entire weekend.
Sometimes it looks like:
- Walking the beach without checking your phone
- Tossing a Frisbee with your kids
- Playing one game on the Nintendo Switch
- Going for a bike ride
- Trying pickleball for the first time
- Joining friends for trivia night
- Putting together a puzzle
- Laughing through a family board game
- Dancing while making dinner
Small moments matter.
A Challenge for This Week
Think back to when you were 10 or 12 years old.
What did you love doing simply because it made you happy?
Choose one playful activity this week—not because it will make you more productive or help you accomplish something, but simply because it’s enjoyable.
Notice how you feel afterward.
When Play Feels Impossible
If reading this article leaves you thinking, I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed anything, you’re not alone.
Anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, grief, and chronic stress can make play feel inaccessible.
One of the goals of therapy isn’t simply to reduce symptoms. It’s to help people reconnect with joy, curiosity, relationships, and the parts of themselves that have gone quiet.
Sometimes healing looks less like “fixing yourself” and more like rediscovering what makes you feel alive.
At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, we help children, teens, adults, and couples navigate anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Therapy isn’t about becoming a different person—it’s about creating enough emotional space to experience more connection, more resilience, and yes, even more play.