<p>How to Have more Fun? Go Play! </p><p><strong>Adult Play Isn’t Silly—It’s a Health Strategy (with Toni Christopher + Sarah McMahon)</strong></p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, I’m on a mission:<br>To help you have an <strong>aha</strong> about <strong>adult play</strong>—and stop treating it like it’s frivolous, childish, or a waste of time.</p><p>Because play isn’t extra.<br>Play is necessary.</p><p><br></p><p>To help us get there, I brought in the forces (yes, the forces!):</p><p><strong>Toni Christopher</strong> — Executive Director of the <strong>National Institute for Play</strong>, a nonprofit advocating for society’s understanding and application of play. Toni shares research, play science, and why play matters far more than we’ve been taught.</p><p><strong>Sarah McMahon</strong> — Actress, improv educator, relationship coach (Playful Partnerships), and creator of the <strong>Playdate Deck</strong>, a card deck designed to help adults bring play into relationships in real-life ways.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The opposite of play isn’t work… it’s depression.</strong></p><p>Yep. Toni drops that truth—and backs it with what research says happens when adults stop playing:</p><ul><li><p>increased stress impact</p></li><li><p>less flexibility (emotionally and mentally)</p></li><li><p>more rigidity</p></li><li><p>more pessimism</p></li><li><p>more risk of depression</p></li></ul><p>And the beautiful news?<br>Play is retrainable. If you’ve lost it—you can get it back.</p><p><br></p><ul><li><p>Play lives in older brain systems (with emotion)</p></li><li><p>As we age, our cortex (“the general”) gets wired with rules, responsibility, and filters</p></li><li><p>We start filtering out play with “not now” thinking: time, money, mess, fear, what people think</p></li></ul><p>Plus—many adults didn’t grow up with much <strong>free play</strong>, which makes it harder to access naturally later.</p><p>👫 What Play Changes in Relationships</p><p>Sarah shares what she sees in couples: play is intimate. And when it disappears, connection fades.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Fear of rejection</strong> (initiating play feels vulnerable)</p></li><li><p><strong>Digital distractions</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Mismatched timing</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Mental load + stress</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Different “cultures of play” (you and your partner may have learned play differently)</strong></p></li></ul><p>Sarah teaches improv skills that strengthen relationships.🎴 The Playdate Deck Game We Played</p><p>Game 1: <strong>That’s Awesome</strong> (Appetizer)</p><p>Say something true (small or big).<br>Everyone responds: <strong>“That’s awesome!”</strong> + fist bump.</p><p><strong>Why it works:</strong> It builds trust, acceptance, and relational safety—and creates a playful container.</p><p>Give your partner a playful “award,” accept it, then say:<br><strong>“I couldn’t have done it without you…”</strong><br>…and continue with playful praise (or let it get heartfelt if it naturally does).</p><p>Create a shared “remember when” story—about something you never actually did.<br>Each person adds a detail (“yes, and…”).</p><p><strong>Why it works:</strong> You’re building a positive memory <em>on purpose</em>—and your brain starts wiring play + connection together.</p><p>***</p><p>If this episode sparked something in you — or reminded you of someone who could use more fun, joy, and aliveness — <strong>send it to them today. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>Join the <strong>Global Fun Movement on my email list</strong> and get monthly tools, stories, and psychology-backed ways to spark joy and live lively:</p><p><a href="http://www.minddoodles.ca">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.minddoodles.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>🎵 Music by Allstar musicians <strong>Per Hoffman</strong> and <strong>David Hilton Clark</strong></p><p><br></p><p>👉 Follow and subscribe to this podcast for more weekly guests and stories to help you crack the code to health, wellness, and FUN.</p><p><br></p><p>Treena Innes, Your Life Fun Expert</p><p>www.minddoodles.ca </p><p>[email protected] </p><p>***</p><p>Thank you to our special guests: </p><p><br></p><p>National Institute for Play website <a href="http://www.nifplay.org">www.nifplay.org</a> </p><p>Subscribe to our newsletter or, more generally, follow the institute <a href="https://nifplay.org/subscribe/">https://nifplay.org/subscribe/</a> </p><p>Instagram  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/playinstitute/">https://www.instagram.com/playinstitute/</a> </p><p>Linkedin  <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-national-institute-for-play/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-national-institute-for-play/</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.saradelighted.com/playfulpartners">https://www.saradelighted.com/playfulpartners</a></p><p>The Playdate Deck</p><p><a href="https://www.saradelighted.com/the-playdate-deck">https://www.saradelighted.com/the-playdate-deck</a></p><p>Anyone local to Seattle, here is the link for upcoming couple&#39;s workshop</p><p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-date-night-registration-1608081267359?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-date-night-registration-1608081267359?aff=ebdssbdestsearch</a></p><p></p><p></p><p><br></p><p></p><p><br></p>