The Need for Play: Why Regeneration Starts With Joy
Summer once signaled a universal slowdown. School let out, offices quieted, and our calendars made room for sun, stillness, and a bit of magic for a brief stretch. But somewhere along the way, the “summer break” became another myth we’ve outgrown. The demands on our time haven’t loosened, and in many cases, they’ve tightened.
That’s exactly why it’s more essential than ever to build in time to regenerate intentionally. And one of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways to do that? Play.
What Happens When We Play
Play, especially play without a defined purpose, activates something deep within us. It draws out creativity, sparks curiosity, sharpens focus, and brings joy. These aren’t just feel-good side effects. They’re the essential ingredients that help us problem-solve, innovate, and ultimately show up more fully in our lives and our work.
Think of a writer facing writer’s block. The cure isn’t usually to write harder;, it’s to step away. To play. To go for a walk, create music, or laugh with a friend. It’s in these unstructured moments that clarity returns.
In a world without true summer breaks, how do we shake ourselves out of ruts and into new ideas?
We play.
Three Ways To Bring Regenerative Play Into Your Life
1. Intellectual Play: Who and what are you engaging with? What are they inspiring in you?
Dive into the stories of comeback teams. Sports dynasties (our favorite is the Celtics) show us what resilience looks like.
Listen closely to music and the composers behind it. How do they express emotion, tension, and resolution?
Revisit the heroes and heroines in your favorite books, podcasts, or TED Talks. What perspectives do they offer?
Try a Master Class in something totally outside your field. You’ll be surprised what it stirs.
2. Physical Play: How might you move differently or experience a different environment?
Take a spontaneous trip to the beach or mountains. Nature has its own healing rhythm.
Shake up your routine with a new fitness class or movement practice.
Plant a garden or even a single pot of herbs. Engage with growth, literally.
Cook a dish you’ve never tried. Taste can be an adventure, too.
3. Communal Play: How are you reconnecting with others in ways that stretch your perspective?
Set up coffee dates with friends from different parts of your life or in different industries.
Volunteer locally or donate your time and skills to a cause you care about.
Attend a local event that’s outside your usual interests. Let someone else’s passion teach you something new.
From Individual Renewal to Collective Growth
The benefits of play are personal, but they don’t stop there.
When we play, we regenerate. And in a regenerative state, we become more generative. That’s when the real magic happens. It’s the perfect time to gather your team, plan a retreat, or revisit a strategic challenge. New energy gives way to new ideas.
At ABW Partners, we’ve seen firsthand how applying play with purpose, whether in strategic planning, philanthropy design, or community engagement, can generate fresh momentum and new possibilities.
Play isn’t just a break. It’s a breakthrough.