July 25, 2024

Having Fun...as a Wellness Hack?

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We often associate "play" with childhood, but it's actually a core component of building social skills, dexterity, and emotional intelligence.

But what if we told you that the physical, mental, and social benefits of implementing "play" into your adult life are anything but fun and games?

There's a growing body of evidence that supports how play can help improve brain function, relieve stress, and even help ward off depression.

In this guide, we'll discuss how adding a bit of fun to your life can be one of the ultimate (and easiest) wellness hacks backed by science to improve your health and overall well-being. Let's go.

The Different Types of Play

We all have our definitions of what constitutes play, but according to the American Psychological Association, play is:

"Activities that appear to be freely sought and pursued solely for individual or group enjoyment."

In other words, play isn't limited to traditional games with rules and winners and losers. But to further understand play and how to implement it into your life, we'll first need to cover the different types of "players."

Stuart Brown M.D.'s 2010 book "Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul" outlines eight significant types of adult play. Check out the list below to help uncover which play style(s) suits you best.

Jokers

Jokers were typically the class clowns growing up. In their adult life, they implement play by telling stories, being the life of the party, and, of course, making others laugh.

Kinesthetics

woman smiling while doing yoga in the park

These types of players are all about moving their bodies. Although sports can appeal to kinesthetics, the natural appeal is not the competition but adding motion to their lives. Some common forms of play that kinesthetics implement in their lives include rock climbing, yoga, paddleboarding, and dance.

Explorers

Explorers are all about achieving understanding and learning. They're usually friends with a new nonfiction book to recommend or may spend weekends scouring your local greenspace for a particular insect or bird.

Competitors

Winning may not be everything to everyone, but it's the only thing for competitors. Competitors are your friends who are itching to get on the pool table at your local dive, the first ones rushing to games at a carnival, or are just a little too passionate about online gaming.

Directors

For these players, a big part of the satisfaction is not just the activity but also planning it. Directors thrive when planning game nights, potlucks, or making weekend trip itineraries.

Collectors

woman sorting through vinyl records at a record store

Are you hitting record stores, plant sales, or vintage flea markets on weekends? Then, you may be a collector. For them, play is about the thrill of the hunt for exciting or aesthetically pleasing objects.

Storytellers

man sharing a story with friends bonfire

You're probably a storyteller if you're hooked on podcasts or have a gripping yarn to unravel for about every occasion. Whether reading fiction or writing it, storytellers thrive regarding anything involved with narratives.

Creators

Generally, creators are easy to identify. They are the ones who love turning imagination into reality. Some creators, such as painters, sculptors, and musicians, are obvious. Still, this type of play can include other activities, such as building terrariums, crocheting, building models, and even landscape design.

The Wellness Benefits of Play

Play isn't just something that kids do. Plenty of adults play, but it looks different at this point in our lives. After reading this list, you may have discovered that you already have implemented play into your life in some form and that you fit into one or several of these archetypes.

Like proper diet, exercise, and sleep, play is a pillar of wellness you should implement into your daily life. Here are some benefits that play can bring to your life and well-being.

Stress Relief

Engaging in play halts the increase of cortisol (the stress hormone) and may help decrease its levels. So whether it's work, bills, or other daily stressors finding their way into your life, take some time aside to play a video game or spend time with an adult coloring book.

Reduces Risk of Depressive Symptoms

A study published in 2019 found that engaging in creative activities such as arts, dance, movement, music, and drama has reduced depressive symptoms in adults. It also had the following effects:

Endorphin (feel-good chemical) releases
Improved processing and communication of emotions
Increased social skills and connection
Greater memory stimulation
Renewed aesthetic pleasure
Enhanced perception of the self

Positive Impacts on Personality

In a 2011 study assessing strengths of character, researchers found that adults who engaged in more playful behaviors had higher scores associated with:

A sense of humor
Hopefulness
Improved creativity
Boosted excitement and energy
Higher aesthetic appreciation

Clearly, adding a bit of play to your life can not only brighten your demeanor and outlook, but your whole personality.

Better Physical Health

Why "workout" when you can "play out" (sorry, we couldn't come up with a better... play on words)? According to a 2016 study, adults were more motivated to exercise when the physical activity was genuinely fun. Ditching the lonely indoor treadmill for a fun, engaging sports club could be your ticket to getting in better shape.

Improved Social Life and Relationships

Humans have evolved to be social creatures. Having an active social life can lead to longevity, emotional regulation, and a better connection to yourself. According to research, play helps us maintain our social well-being, whether it's recreational leagues, after-work activities, or even team-building exercises in the workplace.

The benefits of play, from physical to mental health, speak for themselves. But how can we implement such tendencies and habits in our busy adult lives?

Adding Play Into Your Life

With many ways to play, it's easy to add a little fun to your routine. But if you need some inspiration, we've included some tips below.

Plan a Game Night

group of young adults playing card games

Game nights are a great way to incorporate more play into your routine while building and maintaining social bonds. Game nights can accommodate various play types with various games, from the classics for those who seek victory to party games for those who like a good laugh and tabletop RPGs for those with an active imagination.

Great For: Competitors, Directors, Storytellers, Jokers

Our Rec: Tropical THC Drink Mix Packets

When it comes to game nights, swapping booze for cannabis can be a great call... especially if you've got work the next day. So, for game nights, we recommend our fast-acting Tropical THC Drink Mix, which features five bright flavors, with two packets each, offering you 10, 15mg THC drinks in total, the potential for creative mocktails or even a microdose pitcher you can split with friends.

Join a Sports League or Outdoor Club

Whether it's soccer, dodgeball, or disc golf, joining a local sports league is perfect for turning boring workouts into unbridled fun. But if keeping a score is not your thing, look in your area for other activities, such as running clubs and outdoor exploration groups like rock climbing, fossil hunting, hiking, fishing, paddlesports, and more.

Great For: Kinesthetics, Competitors, Explorers, Directors

Our Rec: ORCA Supplements and Roll-On

When it comes to movement, nothing beats our ORCA line. Whether you need a little pick-me-up for an after-work sports league with ORCA Energy, a fast bounce-back with ORCA Recovery, or ORCA Relax to help you unwind after being "wound up" after physical activity, our ORCA line has you covered. Plus, if you're feeling a bit "rusty" about having movement in your life, our ORCA Max Strength Recovery Roll-On offers the perfect soothing touch for temporary joint discomfort.

Play With Your Pet

woman playing frisbee with her dog outdoors

Feel like hitting up the park to pass a frisbee or going on a scenic hike during your day off? Your human friends may have busy schedules, but your four-legged friend will always be down (minus passing the frisbee back). A pet is a guaranteed way to have a fun companion to play with.

Great For: Kinesthetics, Explorers

Our Rec: Calming CBD Pet Treats

Whether your dog feels a bit high-strung being in unfamiliar places or is getting older and has joint aches, our Calming CBD Dog Treats in Chicken Dinner and Peanut Butter flavors are a perfect option for helping your four-legged friend get more out of playtime.

Find a Hobby or Hobby-Focused Communities

man and woman smiling in a community garden

Maybe your circle of friends doesn't share your passion for collecting vintage guitar pedals, astrophotography, 20th-century absurdist literature, or permaculture gardening (their loss). From gear swaps, book clubs, meetups, or just your backyard/community garden, picking up a hobby for finding a hobby-related community is an easy way to add play to your life.

Great For: Explorers, Creators, Storytellers, Collectors

Our Rec: Super Silver Haze Gummies

First bred in the Netherlands over two decades ago, the Super Silver Haze (SSH) strain has become a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts for energy, creativity, and feeling uplifting. So if you're looking for inspiration or want to get in a solid "flow" for conversations about your passions, we recommend our 5mg Blood Orange + SSH Live Rosin Gummies and our 25mg SSH Gummies (depending on our potency preference).

Get Crafty

Arts and crafts are activities you can do alone or with others, and as a result, you can look back on them with pride and a sense of accomplishment. From crochet to pottery and beyond, plenty of crafts can keep your mind engaged and stress-free while exercising creativity.

Great For: Creators, Directors, Collectors

Our Rec: Amanita Muscaria Mushroom Gummies

Featuring the psychoactive Amanita muscaria along with classic Delta-9 THC and a mind-boosting array of psychotropic adaptogens and mushrooms, our Black Cherry Magic Muscaria Gummies are perfect for those looking for a boost of creative inspiration but want to venture out the "traditional" feeling of cannabis.

Take a Class

Man is practicing his role. Group of actors in dark colored clothes on rehearsal in the theater

Learning takes on a whole new angle when you remove the pressure of quizzes, tests, and grades. Adult classes are a great way to build connections and community while exploring various interests, including MMA, yoga, painting, pottery, improv, stand-up comedy, cooking, and more.

Great For: Storytellers, Creators, Kinesthetics, Jokers

Our Rec: Sativa Products

Sativas are an excellent option for those looking to add a touch of focus to their day or feel more socially engaged, which is why we recommend our Amnesia Haze 5g THCA Liquid Diamond Disposable for taking classes for fun. Both of these sativa strains are excellent options for adding a touch of energy, and as vapes, you can easily "microdose" by taking smaller puffs to keep you grounded as you learn.

Of course, our best-selling Sativa Live Rosin Gummies with 25mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC is another great option.

Online Gaming

Growing up, you may have heard repeatedly that "video games are bad for you." But according to science, gaming can help with mental health recovery and emotional resilience and even add a bit of social interaction to your day.

Great For: Competitors, Jokers, Explorers

Our Rec: Indica Products

Nothing hits the spot like a relaxing indica after a long day. Along with our best-selling Indica Live Rosin Gummies and our White Rhino 5G THCA Liquid Diamonds Disposable are great for sinking into your couch or computer chair, closing out your day with a fun, engaging gaming session, and avoiding staying up too late at night.

Final Thoughts

When life feels like a "grind," you know it's time to add a bit of fun and play to the mixture. Like watching your water intake or ensuring you get enough sleep, adding play to your life can enrich your life by strengthening social bonds, improving your mood and brain function, and even helping you get into better shape.

We hope you came out of this article knowing how play can benefit your life and that we inspired you with ways to add more fun to your routine.

Until next time, happy exploring and Mind Your Mind.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.