Online Article, Websites, and Book Links about The Benefits of Play

"Tim Brown on Creativity and Play" by Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO

Watch Tim Brown's lecture from the 2008 Serious Play conference at www.ted.com. After a couple of audience participation exercises, Brown talks about "play" in the workplace. About his company, he says, "We use it (play) in a pretty pragmatic way, to be honest. We think Playfulness helps us get to better creative solutions, helps us do our jobs better, and helps us feel better when we do them." Watch Tim Brown's talk; the 28 minutes will be well worth your time.

"Finding Ourselves through Play" by Linda Stone

Linda Stone talks about play in her life. She suggests that people journal about how they have used play throughout their lifetime. As a result of that process, she feels that people can discover the "power of play." One book that influenced her the most in 2009 was Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan.

"Isegoria: Better Health through Play (Super Monkey Ball saves lives)"

Play has been used to teach and train. Now, another form of play actually saves lives. Doctors learn video games, such as "Super Monkey Ball," to help them perfect their laparoscopic surgery skills. Does your doctor play Nintendo®?

"Leisure Play Is Important for Human Collaboration" by Rick Nauert, PHD

Rick Nauert, whose article is found in the American Journal of Play and reviewed by John Grohol, believes that playing games helped early humans move from being an aggressive group toward having a more cooperative society. Not only is play fun, but it can diminish human tendencies toward aggression, arrogance, and dominance -- promoting instead feelings of concern and wellbeing for others. The social interaction of play is beneficial for everyone.

"The Crucial Health Value of Play… for Kids AND Adults" by www.SixWise.com

Adults need to take time to have unstructured play, to do things they love to do. Participation in this kind of play raises the levels of dopamine and serotonin in our bodies. Over time, the ability to play promotes physical and mental health. (Scroll down in the article to this heading: "Adults Need Playtime, Too.")

"10 Reasons Play Can Make You Healthy, Happy, and More Productive" by Nancy Shute

Read these 10 things, and you will find 10 wonderful reasons why "play" will make your life more enjoyable, healthy, and smart. Yes, smart. Play stimulates nerve growth in the brain. Although some play ideas relate specifically to kids, adults will benefit from the ideas as well. (from Stuart Brown's Play book)

Play Therapy with Adults by Charles E. Schaefer (Editor)

Even psychologists purport that "play is healthy." This book discusses the benefits and importance of using play therapy to help clients explore aspects of themselves.