Thursday 4 December 2014

Hopscotch for grownups


"A pioneer in research on play, Dr. Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults — and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age." (www.ted.com)    

Photo: Huahintoday.com
Dr. Stuart Brown shows that play is not just for the little ones.  Adults too need some playtime.  Not only that, play at any age improves the mind, develops problem-solving skills and helps build memory, creativity, and imagination. 

"The opposite of play is depression." 

This video tells us how play can enrich your mind as an adult.  Play creates curiosity, and for me that's what learning is all about.  The love of learning is born from a curiosity; a desire to know more.  By this token, play deprivation not only affects happiness, but also your ability and desire to learn.  

"So, what does play do for the brain? Well, a lot."

Brown shows that nothing lights up the brain like play.  Play improves social skills, mental ability, energy levels, relieves stress "and, and, and".  I'm sold.  Game of Twister, anyone?

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