Play is not just a frivolous activity, but an essential part of our lives. It relieves stress, improves brain function, and promotes learning and problem-solving. Play allows us to explore new ideas and perspectives, heal emotional wounds, and strengthen our relationships. It’s a powerful tool for personal growth and wellbeing.

In this episode, Anya and Mark discuss the benefits and importance of play in our lives, and how play can serve as practice for life.

Three prompts

1. What’s stopping you from playing?
2. What is your kind of play?
3. How can you bring more play into your life?

Resources

• Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr Stuart Brown
• National Institute for Play
• Scientific Disciplines Researching Play
• Affective Neuroscience Theory and Personality: an Update
• The Benefits of Play for Adults
• Many Types of Play
• Your Play Personality
• Your voice is a beacon – Summercamp talk by Mark Steadman
• The Secret of Luck – Derren Brown's The Experiment
• Austin Kleon - Bond 2018
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman