The Power of Play & How It Supports Longevity
November 25, 2025
by Morayma MaKay
Writer / Blogger & Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator.
“Play hard to live long.”
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Somewhere along the way, many of us quietly retired the idea of “play” and we traded it in for productivity, responsibilities, schedules, and the long to-do lists that seem to refill themselves overnight. Here’s the thing…adults need play just as much as kids do…maybe even more! Play isn’t childish or silly, it’s actually one of the most underrated wellness tools we have, and science is starting to show just how powerful it can be for stress relief, mental sharpness, and even long-term health.
Play Shouldn’t Be Optional!
Play is built into who we are as humans. It sparks creativity, strengthens social bonds, reduces stress, and brings back a sense of lightness we often lose in everyday life. When we laugh, move our bodies, engage our curiosity, or get lost in something fun, our nervous system shifts out of survival mode and moves into a state that supports healing, connection, and emotional balance. Research even shows that playful activities can lower cortisol, boost feel-good neurotransmitters, and improve cognitive flexibility, all of which are skills that help us adapt, think clearly, and age well. In the same way sleep and nutrition fuel our body, play fuels our spirit!
Longevity and Playfulness
People who live long, healthy, and vibrant lives tend to have something in common…they make room for joy. Whether it’s dancing, gardening, group games, creative hobbies, or simply having fun with loved ones, playfulness is part of their lifestyle. A lifestyle that allows for play helps regulate stress, and that alone is massively important because chronic stress is one of the biggest disruptors of long-term health due to its effects on immunity, hormone balance, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. When we consistently allow ourselves to have fun, we are helping protect our bodies from stress-related wear and tear. Play also strengthens social connections which are another key pillar of longevity. Sharing laughter or a fun experience deepens relationships, and having strong social ties is repeatedly linked to longer, healthier lives.
What “Play” Looks Like for Us as Adults
The best kind of play is simple and spontaneous…anything that makes you feel lighter, more curious, or more engaged in the moment. It might be trying a new recipe just for the fun of it, blasting music and dancing in your kitchen, playing a board game with friends, working on a puzzle, going bowling, painting, sketching, crafting, gardening, or even playing catch with your dog. Taking a fun fitness class or trying a new sport with zero expectations of being good at it are always great ways to incorporate play into your life. The point isn’t what you do…it’s the joy you gain from it!
Relearning How to Play
If it’s been a while since you’ve let yourself have fun without guilt, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with the idea of play because it can feel “unproductive”…but the truth is that anything you do to enhance your well-being is productive! Fun is the best kind of fuel, and reconnecting with joy is a wonderful way to practice self-care. Creating a new habit of play can be easy as well…start by giving yourself permission to do something just because it feels good and fun. Remind yourself that having fun is healthy. You can also think back to what you loved as a kid. Did you like being creative? Dancing? Playing games? Exploring the outdoors? Chances are, the things that lit you up then still hold joy for you now.
Make Fun Part of Your Routine
Incorporating play into daily life can fit into small pockets of time, remember, this isn’t like starting a whole new work-out routine! Just a few minutes here and there that break up stress and add a dose of joy to your day can add up and make a huge difference in how you feel. Schedule a playful activity once a week. Say yes to spontaneous fun. Let yourself laugh more. Create small rituals that make you smile, and think of play as a vitamin for your mood, your brain, and your long-term health because when we make space for fun you’ll be amazed at how much better you start to feel overall.
Remember, growing older doesn’t mean outgrowing playfulness and joy. In fact, the more life we’ve lived, the more important it becomes to stay connected to the part of us that loves to laugh, explore, imagine, and unwind. Play keeps us open, curious, and emotionally resilient. It softens stress, strengthens relationships, sharpens the mind, and supports overall longevity…so remind yourself today (and every day!) that having fun isn’t just allowed…it’s essential!
