It is pointed out that adults, like children, can relieve stress and increase happiness through playfulness.

As we grow older, we tend to spend less time fooling around and daydreaming, and more time being serious and busy. However, it has been pointed out that playfulness is not just for children; it is also an important factor in adults, related to stress and happiness.

Play stress reduces and lifts wellbeing – and adults benefit as much as children do
https://theconversation.com/play-reduces-stress-and-lifts-wellbeing-and-adults-benefit-as-much-as-children-do-264767

Scott Duncan, professor of population health at Auckland University of Technology, and Melody Smith, professor of health sciences at the University of Auckland, say adult play can take different forms than children's play.

Duncan and his colleagues argue that 'play' does not just refer to obvious activities like 'playing with toys' or 'playing games,' but can also manifest itself in a variety of everyday experiences. They explain that activities such as exercise, music, humor, storytelling, trial and error, and problem-solving can become play if they are approached with a stance that distances them from obligations and outcomes and is purely enjoyable.

Duncan and his colleagues argue that what's important isn't what you do, but rather 'how you feel about the activity.' The core of play is curiosity, such as 'I wonder what would happen if I did this' or 'This would be fun,' openness, such as going along with someone's jokes or ideas, and an attitude of not having a set outcome, such as 'I'll produce this result' or 'I'll complete this.'

In other words, by engaging in activities without the expectation of goal achievement or evaluation, the same behavior can be transformed into 'play.' For adults, play is more likely to be woven into hobbies, exploration, and small experiments outside of work and obligations, according to Duncan and his colleagues.

Duncan and his colleagues point out that the value of play is that it provides a 'place to reset the mind.' Play allows you to step away from the pressures and achievements you feel every day and take time to relax. The benefits of play are not just a change of mood, but also help regulate stress and maintain quality of life.

Furthermore, Duncan and his colleagues say that the benefits of playfulness are not limited to individuals. By interacting with others in a playful manner in social situations, the foundation for sharing positive feelings and a sense of security within the group is built up. Duncan and his colleagues say that this accumulation creates a foundation for supporting each other and dealing with difficulties.

Previous research has shown that playful adults tend to be better able to recognize and manage emotions in interpersonal situations, and other research has shown that playfulness may be linked to empathetic, reciprocal interactions with others, connections to others, and a sense of belonging to a community, Duncan and his colleagues explain.

Duncan and his colleagues also state that 'play has a unique power to transcend age boundaries.' When adults and children play together, even if they are not related by blood, differences in age, role, and status tend to fade, and they tend to share the same fun and interact in response to each other's reactions. Duncan and his colleagues point out that intergenerational play strengthens relationships, supports happiness, and may alleviate age-based stereotypes.

Duncan and his colleagues say that playfulness is not only supported by the individual's awareness, but also by the spaces they spend their days in. Research on urban design suggests that effective play spaces for adults are not conspicuously designated as 'playgrounds,' but rather incorporate opportunities for play into everyday landscapes.

'If play is perceived as something embarrassing or extravagant, adults' playfulness quickly disappears,' Duncan and his colleagues say. 'But if playful behavior appears unobtrusive and natural, adults are less likely to participate in play.' From this, Duncan and his colleagues argue that it's not just the design of a space that influences playfulness, but also the surrounding atmosphere.

'Play has been treated as something of childhood and separated from adult life,' Duncan and his colleagues write. However, the findings of this study show that playfulness continues to be important into adulthood and beyond. Reassessing play as a legitimate part of adult life could broaden our understanding of lifelong well-being.