Summary: The opposite of work is not play.
It's depression. Learn why play is critical in order to save your sanity and your work!
The opposite of work is not play. It's depression. So states psychiatrist Stuart Brown in
his new book,
Play: How It Shapes The Brain, Opens The Imagination And Invigorates The Soul.
Brown has conducted more than 6,000 play studies on what
goes wrong when people do not play-studying everything from serial killers to
career-driven CEOs. Given the current plethora of economic turmoil, negative news, layoff
paranoia and growing unemployment lines, the notion of taking time to play sounds like a
childish daydream. But if Brown is right, we could become a nation of stress-filled,
hypertensive individuals who suffer far more than we need to and-at the very
extreme-become downright dangerous to ourselves and others.
Brown is not original in his assertion. Anacharsis, a 6th
BCE philosopher insisted that we are to, "Play so that you may be serious." Even
in the Hellenistic world, play gave rise to scientists, writers, philosophers, and
builders of great civilizations.
If you consider that the task before us is to build rebuild
our cities, our enterprises, and our global community, then play becomes the non-chemical
stimulant for channeling stress into productive outputs.
Play takes many forms. The trick is to find one that
resonates with you. Consider these examples:
Marc, a job-hunting, highly skilled communications expert
in the entertainment field, coaches lacrosse when he's not interviewing. He appears more
calm and confident since he started helping youngsters succeed in his favorite sport.
Glenna, a recent widow and entrepreneur, has started dance
lessons and added Bible study to her spare time. Her laugh comes easier now and she's
discovering new ventures for her skill.
Tom, faced with early retirement, collects Japanese
postcards from the 1900s.
Neil, the CEO of a consulting company, goes to an organic
farm and helps his wife prepare scrumptious vegan meals.
Eunice, a vice president in an international organization
rides her Icelandic horse at every opportunity.
And a president named Obama unwinds with a game of hoops.
Certainly no other leader in modern time has had to face so many internal and external
challenges and yet he finds time to play!
Think of these examples and you'll note that play is as
much a state of mind as it is an activity. It is a mental release that reduces stress
levels in the body and engages the brain in a totally different type of thinking.
Take these three steps to enter the world of play:
1. Give yourself permission to play.
Put a play date with yourself on the calendar and treat it as sacred as the meeting with
your most important client. Remind yourself that you'll be refreshed and thinking more
clearly if you play.
2. Find the play that best suits you.
Start a Play diary, writing down moments of well-being. It might be something that
occurred during the week. It might be as simple as walking the dog or as complex as taking
an eco-adventure tour. It might be a romantic night with your best beloved or a sweaty
100-mile bike ride. Whatever it is-in the doing, you feel a sense of contentment and joy.
3. Pass play along.
Encourage others. Make sure you're not the driver who keeps employees chained to their
desks but rather, lead the way. If you're in a position to do so, create a Fun Friday
where everyone takes a turn at coming up with something that evokes joy, laughter, and
contentment. One organization forbade e-mail on Fridays between anyone in the building.
Instead, messages were sent via a paper airplanes.
Martin Buber, German Jewish biblical scholar believed that
"play is the exultation of the possible." Isn't that what we all are looking for
now-what is possible!
Go play....so you might be serious.
(c) 2009, McDargh Communications. |
