Play shapes our brain and fosters empathy Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In the book, she’s talking about this as one of the key guideposts for a wholehearted life. She frames play not as a luxury, but as a vital, non-negotiable component of overcoming things like anxiety, perfectionism, and scarcity. She argues that without play, our lives become rigid, and our capacity for joy and connection shrinks. It’s a practice of letting go.

Usage Examples

So how do you actually use this? First, for parents. Stop feeling guilty about unstructured playtime. When your kids are building a fort, they’re not just killing time; they’re in a high-level cognitive and empathy bootcamp. Second, for leaders and managers. You want a more innovative, collaborative team? Introduce play. A brainstorming session that feels like a game will yield far more creative, empathetic solutions than a rigid, stressful meeting. And finally, for yourself. If you feel burned out or disconnected, the answer might not be another self-help book. It might be scheduling 30 minutes a week to do something for pure, pointless joy. That’s not wasting time. That’s neural and emotional maintenance.

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FAQ

Question: Does “play” just mean games and sports?
Answer: Not at all. Brené Brown defines play broadly as any activity that is time spent without purpose. That could be gardening, building model airplanes, doodling, telling stories, or just daydreaming. It’s about the spirit of the activity, not the activity itself.

Question: Is this only relevant for children’s development?
Answer: Absolutely not, and this is the biggest misconception. Our brains are plastic our entire lives. Adults need play just as much, if not more, to combat stress, prevent cognitive decline, and maintain healthy, empathetic relationships. It’s a lifelong practice.

Question: How can I incorporate more play into a busy, stressful life?
Answer: Start small and be intentional. It doesn’t have to be a four-hour block. It could be a 10-minute dance party in your kitchen, keeping a coloring book at your desk, or having a silly, non-work-related conversation with a colleague. The key is to do it with no goal other than the experience itself.