Rediscover the power of outdoor play

In a world dominated by screens and schedules, the simple joy of outdoor play has become increasingly rare. But in this article, we are reminded of the countless benefits that come from immersing ourselves in the natural world. From fostering creativity and imagination to promoting physical health and social development, the great outdoors offers a wealth of opportunities for growth and learning. Join us on a journey back to the simplicity and wonder of childhood, and rediscover the transformative power of outdoor play.

What is play anyway?

It's common to think of work as the opposite of play and to justify neglecting play by saying, "We must work." But as physician and researcher Stuart Brown says in his book Play, action is not the opposite of play. Rather, depression is the opposite of play. This fact makes the lack of play in modern life somewhat frustrating.  Depressed people are low on the play scale, and play itself can be a cure for depression. It's hard to define gameplay, play is fun. It is done for pleasure and for no other reason. It involves risk or uncertainty and a voluntary loss of control. Play involves repetition, change and improvisation. And when we play, we do things we don't normally do. Not all forms of play are physical, but its highest and purest forms involve the physical – and in moving in ways we don't normally move.

Why do we need to play

Creatures play throughout the animal kingdom and need to play as part of their growth, socialization, and mental health. Young people need to play for the same reasons. But it's not just about young people. As research has shown, adults also need to play. Not what you do, but how you do it when it comes to delivering benefits, not all play is equal. And not all outdoor time is created equal, either. Outdoor physical activity is not equivalent to play. When I was in my twenties, running was my main outdoor activity. It provided intense workout in a short period of time, did not require equipment, and I can do it anywhere - city or country, it doesn't matter. What I see now is that even when running took me to natural areas, it didn't take me to nature. It didn't matter where I ran, I was still stuck in a hurry of anxiety and meditation in my head. Running, as I did then, was the opposite of play.

He was organized, not spontaneous. I was running because I thought it was good for me. There were moments when I felt happy, for sure – but it was more than that it made me feel happy afterwards. It was more disciplined than fun, and slower than fun. In comparison, the outdoor activities I do now are just fun. I get excited just thinking about it. There is a little discipline required I am again that child who wants to stay out all day and must eventually be invited to go back inside for dinner. In fact, it's not about the activity you do, it's about how you do it. And running too can be fun. Leave the watch behind. Run on a track, not a road. Leave the path behind. Run on mixed ground. Run along the shore of the waves. Run barefoot. Run in the dewy grass, in the rain – or in the snow. Run while dribbling the ball or run to pick up the flying disc. Jump. Serenade. Raced. Dance salsa at your turning point. These are all ways to make running more fun and less routine.

How can we rediscover the gameplay?

Playful movement should not be complicated. They must be clear in terms of basic movement patterns. Functional movements and can be adapted to everyone - with challenges that can be applied to each individual. You can carry objects on the back, focus on the animals' crawling and movements, or play games like chase or tennis. Use your imagination to make physical activity more interesting and increase motivation. For example, if you practice a bear-shaped crawl, imagine crawling under a low branch covered with thorns and change your body position accordingly. It may sound like child's play, but engaging the brain in this way can increase muscle activation and make you work harder.

Gameplay

Outdoors provide a wide-open, less structured, less predictable and less controllable environment, making play deeper and richer. Road biking, kayaking in calm waters, road running, and sports walks are all great activities, but they may seem low on the scale of fun, especially if done regularly and without diversification. If your time outdoors is limited to these activities, you may want to change the way you do them, at least occasionally. Other hobbies such as mountain biking, trail running, white-water kayaking, downhill skiing, and treasure hunts are some of the most interesting things to play. If you haven't tried this hobby, you might consider trying. Trying something new in itself is a great way to feel like a child again. What we find in play is our selves.

Setting an example for our children too

One of the things we understand as parents is that our children are affected by what we do or don't do as adults. If we show movement as punitive, our children will see movement and activity as punitive and something scary. If we are fun and enthusiastic about activity, it gives our children a chance to enjoy the movement as well. Play is an essential activity regardless of age. As adults, it's very important to learn how to play again, as this can help us meet physical activity guidelines for a start!