From: hubermanlab
In the Huberman Lab Podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman explores the role of play in our lives and underscores its significance not just during childhood, but throughout adulthood as well. Play is often perceived as a trivial pursuit or reserved for children, yet it holds transformative power for mental and physical health.
Biological Underpinnings of Play
Play and the Nervous System
Play is intrinsically linked with our nervous system. Dr. Huberman explains that engaging in play can alter our nervous system for the better, aiding in various life activities. It is homeostatically regulated, meaning it functions to achieve balance, similar to sleep and thirst regulation ([00:15:53]).
Key Insight
Play is not just about fun or games; it significantly affects our neurological development and coping mechanisms. It can reduce stress by releasing endogenous opioids that create a sense of well-being and flexibility in our thinking (linked to neurobiological mechanisms) ([00:19:46]).
Endogenous Opioids and Low Epinephrine
A playful mindset liberates endogenous opioids in the brain, contributing to a relaxed and open state necessary for creative thinking and exploring new possibilities. This occurs simultaneously with low levels of adrenaline (epinephrine), thereby maintaining a calm and focused state of mind without stress ([00:52:08]).
Psychological Benefits of Play
Enhancing Creativity and Flexibility
Play encourages us to adopt various roles and engage in scenarios without the pressure of outcomes. This approach fosters creative thinking and flexible problem-solving skills crucial across different realms like work, relationships, and personal development (integrating scientific thinking) ([01:00:03]).
Maintaining Neuroplasticity
Dr. Huberman highlights that maintaining a playful mindset is essential for ongoing neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences. This is particularly relevant as we look to extend our cognitive flexibility into older age ([01:05:05]).
Role in Mental Health
Cultivating a playful mindset impacts mental health by reducing stress levels and increasing overall happiness. It encourages engagement in life with a reduced fear of failure, leading to a more fulfilling and fearless approach to new experiences ([medicine_and_psychiatry | impact on psychiatry]) ([00:34:00]).
Practical Applications
Encouragement to Play as Adults
For adults, re-engaging with play can rekindle a youthful curiosity and sense of exploration. Dr. Huberman advises adults to dedicate at least one hour per week to playful activities that might be slightly out of their comfort zone but remain low stress. This could include games, sports, or learning a new skill, all conducted with a light-hearted attitude and minimal stakes (importance of cardiovascular exercise for health) ([01:43:00]).
Playful Mindset in Daily Life
Adopting a playful mindset doesn’t mean being carefree all the time. Instead, it means approaching life’s challenges with a perspective that reduces stress—recognizing that many outcomes are not as dire as we might fear and using play as a tool to navigate life’s complexities creatively and resiliently.
In conclusion, adopting a playful mindset is not just beneficial but essential for lifelong mental health and cognitive flexibility. By allowing ourselves to explore, create, and engage with low-stakes play, we foster an environment where our brains can continue to grow and adapt, enhancing our capacity to face life’s challenges more effectively.