By Katie Coleman
Having a creative outlet is so important, and it’s good for your health, too.
Psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown researches the importance of play in his book, Play – How How Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Brown explains how imperative play is – from childhood through old age, for a healthy life.
Although play is a natural part of children’s lives, adults may view it as non-productive, a distraction from work, or even inappropriate. Why is that? Brown explains that, “play is nature’s great tool for creating new neural networks, and for reconciling cognitive difficulties.”
When people play, Brown says that it stimulates nerve growth in the parts of the brain that process emotions, and executive function. And when people play, dilemmas and challenges are naturally filtered through the unconscious mind, and work themselves out.
A huge congregation for adult play can be seen every summer at music festivals across the country, where people camp, enjoy music, and celebrate self-expression. While plenty of adults would vote against a sleepless weekend in the woods surrounded by non-stop music, for many adults festivals are a wonderful place to be themselves or whoever they want to be, and with whomever they want to be with.
“It’s good to be in an environment where you can let everything out, and enjoy the company of many types of artists, where you can feel accepted for being who you are,” said Shaina Michael, a fire dancer and flow artist who was selling hula hoops at this year’s Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY.
The festival welcomed thousands of people for three days of non-stop music, hula hoopers, fairy wings, fire dancers, body paint, and drum circles. The atmosphere was happy and free with children, adults, and seniors dancing, exploring, and creating.
And there’s something to be said for 72 hours of non-stop, live music. Uncle Claud’s Band, a Grateful Dead tribute band, has performed at the Heron for the past three years. The band’s keyboardist, 19-year-old Jordan Seager, finds that going to the Heron and playing music is very good for his wellbeing.
“I love the atmosphere here, and when people reach out and talk to one another,” Seager said. “In cities you say ‘hi’ to people, and they act like it’s a totally alien thing to say hello. Here you can probably say hi, and strike up conversation with just about anybody.”
Seager described performing as very cathartic and stress relieving, but said it’s not the performing, but playing music and interacting with people that makes the festival so rewarding.
“Although it’s physically very tiring, I leave the festival feeling very positive and serene, and carry that positive energy with me until the next year,” Seager said.
So playing has the importance of a lifetime. Take a break, and go play!
About the Author: Katie Coleman is a freelance writer in Buffalo, New York.
