What If Play Made You Better at Work?

Being playful is one of the greatest gifts in life!

Kids do it naturally. It doesn't matter where you are, or whether you are undertaking a mundane task, their ability to play, laugh, and have fun is limitless and contagious.

As adults, our minds are so often chock-full of "things we must do", that we fall into a serious, "get it done" mode, where the focus is productivity.

Within the workplace, playfulness isn't perceived as a fit with productivity. If we are chatting, having a laugh, or just generally goofing around, rather than sitting at our computers furiously typing, then a few eye-brows may be raised.

Add to this hybrid working and 24/7 always-on, and the amount of time we spend being playful is decreasing at an alarming rate (how much "play" do you have in the day when you are WFH?)

But this is a HUGE mistake.

Playfulness - having fun, laughing, smiling, connecting - or just finding something joyful is critical to work productivity. 

It builds connection and culture - that glue which is beyond your actual role.

In addition, the benefits of playfulness are well-documented and proven for work effectivenenss and wellbeing: 

✅ Stress Reduction: play reduces cortisol, and increases endorphins
✅ Better Immune Function: enhances the production of antibodies
✅ Enhanced Creativity: stimulates the prefrontal cortex & problem solving
✅ Deeper Social Connection: oxytocin supports bonding and trust.
✅ Increased Energy: it refreshes our cognitive pathways. 

Think how energised you feel after a good belly laugh! 

👉 You see, people aren't meant to be ONLY one thing. 

Our brains and bodies are designed for productivity, for play, for intensity, for renewal. This is when we cognitively operate at our best.

The picture below with my kids today came up on my phone and made me laugh out loud. It felt really good. It reminded me of the importance of play (and hence this post!)

It didn't disrupt my work. It enhanced my work.
Playfulness is natural to people. It's one of the first things we learn as kids.

So next time you feel yourself obsessing over your "To Do" list and trying to be more productive by cramming more tasks into your day, don't forget to add in play. 

A chat with a friend. Playing with the dog or cat. Laughing with colleagues.

Your mind and body will thank you for it! And you will be more productive when you get back to that "To Do List"