The Role Of Play In Supporting Mental Health

Introduction

It is 2024 and children are enduring a drought of leisure. As they progress in academic years and grow up m, their schedule only gets more packed. The number of tuitions increases, and the hours of leisure decrease. By the time kids return home, night has fallen, and everybody is too tired and fatigued to play. But playing daily is essential for children.

Playtime improves kids' energy and activity levels and supports their mental health. While playtime can include a combination of outdoor and indoor play, it is essential for kids to play outdoors for at least 30-60 minutes to improve their overall development and prevent lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes. While parents do not realize it, engaging in playtime is also crucial for them.

Unlike kids, adults do not get a free pass to relax at the end of the day and must engage in household chores until they go to bed. Rest and leisure are often missing from their lives as well. It is ideal for kids and parents to engage in playtime together daily to enhance family bonding and mental well-being. Here’s a quick guide on the role of play in supporting mental health.

Role Of Playtime In Supporting Mental Health

Enhances Family Bonding

The daily struggles of life often do not let working parents and children spend much time together. Digital distractions create further distance between the two, which causes the family unit’s cohesiveness to degrade. Instead, set aside some time to spend with your kid daily. Go outside and play, solve some puzzles, or simply play a couple of active indoor games to expend restless energy and make memories together.

Lowers Stress Levels

Playing helps kids and parents de-stress and unwind together at the end of a tough day. Playtime helps lower stress levels and creates a mindful environment. This helps focus and enjoy the present without thinking about anything else for the time being. This automatically increases the production of mood-boosting endorphins and improves mental health.

Helps Face Complex Emotions

Playtime helps children face and analyze complex emotions and situations in a manner that is easier and more suitable for them. For example, if your child has witnessed an argument between their parents, they may try to recreate it with their dolls to process it. Also, playtime helps kids focus on the problem instead of worrying about the consequences. For example, they may open their hearts out to their arguing dolls and express their feelings. This has a cathartic effect and fortifies mental health in kids.

Builds Character And Confidence

Playtime helps build confidence and character in kids. Every game teaches them something new, be it strategies(chess), financial accountability(monopoly), or simply the art of counting (Ludo). These lessons build character in children when mindfully taught and explained. As for confidence, every time your child wins a game or solves a puzzle on their own, it greatly improves their self-esteem.

Teaches How To Socialize

Playtime also teaches kids how to socialize and make friends. When your child is out in the park playground, they do not have the privilege of all utility of any ride. They need to share and socialize with other kids to get a turn at the swings or make friends and join a game of cricket or badminton. This teaches kids valuable social skills which cannot be learned from any book or video. Only practiced by interacting in real life.

Is A Healthy Coping Mechanism

Playing is a healthy coping mechanism for both children and adults. When upset, kids may resort to playing with their trains and cars, getting the chance to release their negative emotions via play. Parents may engage in sudoku and complex puzzles. As playtime has no demands or requirements, engaging in it helps kids and parents face and reflect on their emotions and actions. This also helps them make improved choices and be better.

Improves Imagination And Focus

Playtime is responsible for multiple mental health benefits, including nurturing imagination in children. In a world that values creativity as something special, kids get to hone their skills while engaging in doll play and make-believe scenarios to arrive prepared at the starting line of life. Playing daily also helps enhance your child’s focus and attention span, which has been greatly altered by binging on social media reels.

Conclusion

Playtime is necessary for kids and adults every day. It keeps their minds and hearts healthy. Outdoor play has multiple physical health benefits as well. But most importantly, playtime helps nurture kids into kind and creative individuals who can focus on tasks and regulate their emotions. Therefore, it is time to try this guide and understand the importance of playtime now. Your steady mental health and strong future of kids will thank you later.