The
idea of play may be the furthest thing from your mind right now. After
all, you are dealing with serious business and financial issues on a
daily basis. In times of stress, people spend less time on leisure
activities and more time working – and worrying – according to new
research. A new ongoing study by
Gallup-Healthways measures the day-to-day stress levels of over 350,000
people, and according to a recent report, stress is spiking, emotional
health is declining, and people are growing more and more sensitive to
news about the economy.
Stress, it seems, is now the norm. Which is why one expert says play should be a priority in the workplace. According to the National Institute for Play, founded by renowned play expert Dr. Stuart Brown, many business leaders believe that play is the opposite of work. On the contrary, Dr. Brown asserts in his new book, Play: How It Sharpens the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, play is a very vital part of work.
Adults tend to believe that play is a “guilty pleasure” or a distraction from work according to Dr. Brown. However, he says that play is as necessary to health as sleep and nutrition. The work-related impacts of play are vast. Play is important for creativity, reducing stress, improving health, enhancing productivity, and building teams. So, here are five ways you can integrate play into your day – and add some fun to your workplace, even in times like these.
1. Put play on the agenda. If you host regular meetings, consider adding an element of play into your agenda. Word and trivia games can be a quick, fun way to take a short break from the daily grind and help your team spend some time thinking outside the box.
2. Integrate play into a process. You may already have processes or tasks in place that can easily become an act of play. Does your team spend time brainstorming ideas? Do they have calls to make or quotas to meet each day? Find ways to make their work a game, and you’ll not only add a fun spirit to the workplace, you’ll help your team be motivated and accomplish goals already in place.
3. Play away from the office. Making the workplace a more fun place to be through the power of play is beneficial. But, also consider the rejuvenating and team-building power of play for the sake of play alone – and away from work. Fun activities like go-cart rides, miniature golf, or ropes courses can offer a much-needed mental break and help your team bond.
4. Place play into your training. Have you ever noticed effective teachers or speakers engaging the audience with an activity? That’s because play is a powerful part of the learning process. So, think about ways you can illustrate your teaching points through fun activities – even when you’re dealing with adults. Dr. Brown affirms that play is not just an important activity for children. So why should magic tricks, craft materials, or the game of tag be limited to kids?
5. Make play a challenge. Looking for other ideas to integrate play into your workplace? Ask your team for their ideas of fun and unique ways to play at work. Make this process a game, and offer a small reward for the team member who develops the most creative idea. Then, use your team’s ideas to add new types of play into work.
The possibilities for play are endless in the workplace. So, challenge yourself to think outside the box, and find ways your team can play at work. When you take time for play throughout the day, you’ll reduce stress, improve morale, and equip your team to enjoy work more.
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