“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
This week’s blog post is inspired by an Indigo & Shibori workshop I attended over the weekend. During the workshop, we learned about the history, cultural significance, farming practices, and science behind creating indigo dye (the rich blue colour) and shibori (Japanese design techniques). I even got to try my hand at my own designs (see below!). I left feeling invigorated in a way I hadn’t felt in a while, with ideas already spinning for future dye projects.
Growing up, I thought I was the “un-creative” one in the family, at least in the traditional sense. I’d often get frustrated during art projects, either rushing to finish or giving up because I assumed it wouldn’t “look good” anyway. Now, I can see there were some limiting beliefs getting in the way. Art and creativity are best enjoyed when we stay rooted in the process, without evaluating our work by any grading criteria. I’m sure others can relate to this – that tug toward perfectionism.
As adults, we’re often reluctant to explore or try new things because we’re more attached to the outcome. Creativity, too, can feel like something we should be ‘naturally’ good at, rather than something to explore. Unlike kids, who instinctively know how to play, we tend to see play and creativity as frivolous unless they serve a purpose. But research shows play offers many benefits for adults- it helps manage stress, sparks creativity and innovation, aids in problem-solving, fosters connection, and boosts both mental and physical health.
With everything on my plate lately—building my business, studying, managing my health, navigating life’s unexpected twists, binging on the news—my “fun” bucket had started looking a little skimpy. Perhaps you can relate?
But each time I allowed myself moments of play, like a spontaneous vision-board session with neighbours or drawing with colourful markers, I felt lighter and more present. That’s why I joined the Indigo & Shibori workshop, and now I’m on a mission to infuse more play into my day and explore other creative pursuits.
What is Creative Play?
Creative play is unstructured, and open-ended, allowing people of any age to explore ideas, express themselves, and engage in imaginative activities without pressure for specific goals or outcomes. The possibilities for creative play are limitless!
One of my favourite forms of creative play over the years has been ecstatic dance. It's an improvisational movement that invites you to respond freely to the music and your emotions in the moment, without structured steps. Like other forms of creative play, ecstatic dance encourages spontaneity, self-expression, and connection with one’s inner experience, without judgment or pressure. I distinctly remember going to an event with a friend where we danced so freely and silly that I felt I was vibrating at the same frequency as I did in childhood. Several years later I still savour this memory.
Reflecting on this reminds me of how, as adults, our priorities shift. We often turn to substances and consumption for enjoyment when, in reality, we can generate that joy ourselves. We have this magic within us.
Play & the Nervous System
Play is a “blended” nervous system state that combines activation and regulation. It involves a mix of sympathetic energy, like excitement and passion, balanced by a sense of calm and safety. The vagal brake, like a gentle bike brake, moderates this mobilizing energy to prevent us from becoming dysregulated.
Play will look different for each person. For some, play can happen in work settings—like team brainstorming or collaborating on a common mission. In this post, I’m focusing more on play purely for enjoyment, without an ulterior motive, since many adults often feel that activities need to be justified as “practical.”
Recognizing our unique neurobiological limits—physical, cognitive, energetic, psychological, and emotional—is key to finding the activities that feel playful to us. For example, some people may find competitive play overstimulating. When the vagal brake isn’t effectively modulating, it can create too much mobilizing energy, leading to stress and difficulty down-regulating afterward. For people with low vagal tone—often the case for those with chronic illness or chronic stress—their vagal brake may not be as engaged as it should be. Understanding our limits helps us engage in play more sustainably.
Why Play Matters, Especially with Chronic Illness
Play Reduces Stress: Chronic illness often keeps us in a heightened state of alert. We may be stressed about current symptoms or worried that we’ll experience them if we push too much. Engaging in play that’s specific to our interests can stimulate positive emotions and reduce cortisol levels.
Play Reconnects Us to Ourselves: When we play, we’re often a more present version of ourselves, not as worried about the future or as stuck in the past. Play lets us reclaim moments of life where we’re just us—not patients, not problem-solvers, but people savouring simple joys.
Play Builds Resilience: Facing illness can be incredibly disheartening, and it’s easy to lose optimism. Play teaches us to adapt, to laugh at the unpredictable, and to view setbacks as part of the journey. This mindset shift is especially helpful in managing the ups and downs of chronic illness.
Play also trains our vagal brake to get stronger, as the mobilizing energy brings us to the edge of our Window of Tolerance while the vagal brake slows it down. This gently stretches our Window of Tolerance (increasing our ability to manage emotional arousal), and allows us to be more flexible and resilient to stressors.
How to Invite Play Into Your Life
Here are a few ways to bring play into your routine:
Try Micro-Moments of Play
Sometimes, thinking of “play” as a large activity can feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on micro-moments: doodling for a few minutes or watching a short video that makes you laugh. These mini-escapes can gently invite joy without using too much energy.
Recently, a peer shared how they incorporate “micro-moments” into their day by using their non-dominant hand for low-stakes activities like brushing their teeth or writing notes. This not only enhances brain connectivity by stimulating different areas of the brain, but also promotes neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility. Plus, it could encourage creativity, by breaking habitual thought patterns, allowing you to approach problems from new perspectives.
2. Explore Playful Creativity
Creative play is possible for all energy levels. Try journaling, painting, creating a vision board, or snapping photos around your neighbourhood. Engaging your creativity, even in small ways, can serve as a therapeutic break. While you can create a vision board online (I’ve used Canva), there’s something especially pleasurable about flipping through magazines and cutting out pictures that resonate with you. I find being online can lead to distractions (does anyone else keep 100 tabs open?), and I enjoy tactile activities.
3. Get Moving in a Way That Feels Good
Movement and play often go hand in hand. If your body feels up for it, try gentle dance (maybe you’ll find an ecstatic event in your area), stretching, or slow walking outside. Focusing on movement as play rather than exercise can help lift the pressure of showing up in any particular way. Sometimes I play a guided meditation or a curated playlist as I walk. Just be mindful of pacing if you live with a dynamic disability or mobility challenges.
4. Make it Social
Social play can be as simple as joining a virtual game night, texting a friend funny memes, or watching a comedy show. Laughter is a beautiful, spontaneous form of play that lightens the load and connects us with others, even on hard days. Social engagement can enhance our feeling of safety, and support our vagal brake in regulating mobilizing energy.
5. Follow Your Curiosity
Let your curiosity guide you to new activities or hobbies without feeling the need to “master” them. Whether it’s trying your hand at cooking, exploring photography, or learning a new language, these curiosities can bring back the thrill of discovery. Brainstorm and jot down some ideas, or even use Chat GPT for some help.
You could check out community centers or libraries in your area for any upcoming workshops. Eventbrite (as an example) also has local events and online events which may be more accessible for some folks. Another idea is getting some friends together and taking turns hosting a workshop or activity. In fact, I want to make a big container of indigo dye and have friends over to dye some things.
6. Go with the Flow
Give your nervous system some choice by setting aside time for “free play time,” where nothing is scheduled, and you can choose whatever you want to do at the moment. I really enjoy picking up some snacks and hanging out at a park or wandering a new neighbourhood (or an old one as if it’s my first time) while listening to music. Sometimes, I even imagine I’m a character in a movie—because why not?
Play is a Form of Self-Care
In the midst of managing chronic illness, or juggling life’s stresses, prioritizing play may feel difficult. But remember, play isn’t just for kids—it’s a human need. It’s a way to reclaim joy, regulate our nervous system, and remind ourselves that life can have beauty alongside our struggles.
What’s something playful you could do this week? Who can you share it with?
Resources:
How Play Can Heal Your Nervous System (Jessica Maguire)- https://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_maguire_how_play_can_heal_your_nervous_system?subtitle=en
A Beginners Guide to Ecstatic Dance- https://theconsciousclub.com/articles/a-beginners-guide-to-ecstatic-dance-tips-to-try-it-at-home
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