How to Have more Fun? Go Play!

Adult Play Isn’t Silly—It’s a Health Strategy (with Toni Christopher + Sarah McMahon)

In this episode, I’m on a mission:
To help you have an aha about adult play—and stop treating it like it’s frivolous, childish, or a waste of time.

Because play isn’t extra.
Play is necessary.

To help us get there, I brought in the forces (yes, the forces!):

Toni Christopher — Executive Director of the National Institute for Play, a nonprofit advocating for society’s understanding and application of play. Toni shares research, play science, and why play matters far more than we’ve been taught.

Sarah McMahon — Actress, improv educator, relationship coach (Playful Partnerships), and creator of the Playdate Deck, a card deck designed to help adults bring play into relationships in real-life ways.

The opposite of play isn’t work… it’s depression.

Yep. Toni drops that truth—and backs it with what research says happens when adults stop playing:

• increased stress impact

• less flexibility (emotionally and mentally)

• more rigidity

• more pessimism

• more risk of depression

And the beautiful news?
Play is retrainable. If you’ve lost it—you can get it back.

• Play lives in older brain systems (with emotion)

• As we age, our cortex (“the general”) gets wired with rules, responsibility, and filters

• We start filtering out play with “not now” thinking: time, money, mess, fear, what people think

Plus—many adults didn’t grow up with much free play, which makes it harder to access naturally later.

👫 What Play Changes in Relationships

Sarah shares what she sees in couples: play is intimate. And when it disappears, connection fades.

• Fear of rejection (initiating play feels vulnerable)

• Digital distractions

• Mismatched timing

• Mental load + stress

• Different “cultures of play” (you and your partner may have learned play differently)

Sarah teaches improv skills that strengthen relationships.🎴 The Playdate Deck Game We Played

Game 1: That’s Awesome (Appetizer)

Say something true (small or big).
Everyone responds: “That’s awesome!” + fist bump.

Why it works: It builds trust, acceptance, and relational safety—and creates a playful container.

Give your partner a playful “award,” accept it, then say:
“I couldn’t have done it without you…”
…and continue with playful praise (or let it get heartfelt if it naturally does).

Create a shared “remember when” story—about something you never actually did.
Each person adds a detail (“yes, and…”).

Why it works: You’re building a positive memory on purpose—and your brain starts wiring play + connection together.

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If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — send it to them today.

Join the Global Fun Movement on my email list and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.minddoodles.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎵 Music by Allstar musicians Per Hoffman and David Hilton Clark

👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.

Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert

www.minddoodles.ca

[email protected]

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Thank you to our special guests:

National Institute for Play website www.nifplay.org 

Subscribe to our newsletter or, more generally, follow the institute https://nifplay.org/subscribe/ 

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/playinstitute/ 

Linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-national-institute-for-play/

https://www.saradelighted.com/playfulpartners

The Playdate Deck

https://www.saradelighted.com/the-playdate-deck

Anyone local to Seattle, here is the link for upcoming couple's workshop

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-date-night-registration-1608081267359?aff=ebdssbdestsearch