Playing is about doing something without purpose, just because it makes us feel good. Lack of play in childhood is associated with aggression as an ability to play is a crucial coping mechanism for both young and older people. As we progress through our lives, our lives become serious, busy, purposeful and we sometimes forget to play. Yet, when we stop playing, it affects our wellbeing negatively. This is where the play list comes into play.
When your life becomes challenging, reflect on what type of play activities you can engage with every day. Here is a potential list of activities, adapted from the Quality of Life therapy (Frisch, 2006):
“Personal Pleasure and Renewal
- Blogging, Instant Messaging, or Text Messaging
- Watching something special on TV or DVD
- Computer Gaming
- Watching a sports game or event
- Shopping
- Reading or watching something funny
- Listening to music
- Listening to the radio
- Eating a nice meal, dessert, or snack
- Having a drink, soda, or coffee
- Viewing or reading something sexy (Erotica)
- Visiting your favourite (or new) sections of a book, video, or music store
- Playing cards or board games
- Planning a day trip or vacation
- Taking a day trip or vacation
- Dressing up
- Putting on comfortable clothes
- Getting a massage
- Going to a hair stylist
- Getting a manicure
- Having some time alone
- Making up a pleasant daydream or fantasy
- Looking at home videos or picture albums
- Just sitting and relaxing
- Taking a leisurely bath or shower
- Sleeping in
- Taking the day off
- Staying up late, taking a nap, getting up early
- Making a fire in the fireplace
- Doing some pleasure reading
- Playing bingo or gambling
- Singing or dancing by yourself
Community Activities
- Going to a movie
- Going to a play, show, or lecture
- Going to a concert
- Going to a bookstore
- Visiting a park
- Visiting neighbours
- Going to a sporting event or game like football, basketball, baseball, or soccer
- Going to a museum
- Going to a botanical garden or aquarium
- Going out to eat at a favourite restaurant
- Going out to eat at a new restaurant
- Going out for a drink, coffee, snack, or dessert
- Doing something outside
- Going shopping
- Buying yourself something special
- Buying someone else something special
- Going to a garage, auction, or antique sale
- Shopping out of town
- Going window shopping for things you can’t buy
- Taking a walk somewhere pretty or interesting
- Going sightseeing in the country
- Going sightseeing in the city
- Going to a coffee shop
Hobbies/Creative Outlets
- Gardening
- Dancing
- Playing cards
- Drawing or painting
- Playing with, caring for, or watching pet(s)
- Taking music, painting, singing, dancing, acting lessons
- Playing a musical instrument
- Joining a singing or acting group
- Using the computer: including games, programs, Internet
- Doing needlework like sewing and knitting
- Doing woodworking
- Keeping a journal
- Writing a poem or story
- Going skating or rollerblading
- Doing arts and crafts
- Doing a crossword or jigsaw puzzle
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Doing photography
- Visiting or joining a hobby group
- Playing pool or ping pong
- Watching sports on TV
- Going to a sporting event or game
- Collecting stamps, coins, cards, etc.
- Stargazing/astronomy
- Boating or canoeing
Sports
- Golfing
- Fishing or hunting
- Joining a sports team like softball, volleyball, basketball, etc.
- Playing soccer
- Water skiing
- Snow skiing
- Playing racquetball or tennis
- Bowling
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Playing baseball, basketball, or football
- Playing shuffleboard, badminton, croquet, or horseshoes
Learning/Reading
- Surfing the Web
- Visiting a library
- Visiting a bookstore
- Going to professional or business meeting or conference
- Reading work-related material
- Taking a class
- Running computer programs
- Going to a lecture
- Going to a museum
- Reading the newspaper
- Reading a favourite magazine
- Reading a novel or mystery
- Reading interesting nonfiction books or magazines
- Reading about your hobbies and interests
- Looking at picture books
- Learning a new language
- Learning about computers
- Reading do-it-yourself books or magazines
Socializing, Family Activities, and Helping Others
- Visiting/phoning a friend
- Visiting/phoning a date
- Visiting/phoning relatives
- Visiting/phoning partner
- Visiting/phoning children or grandchildren
- Visiting/phoning acquaintance
- Inviting over a friend, acquaintance, date, relatives, partner, children, or grandchildren
- Planning an outing with a friend, acquaintance, date, relatives, partner, children, or grandchildren
- Writing a letter or e-mail to a friend, acquaintance, date, relatives, partner, children, or grandchildren
- Going to a party
- Planning a party or get-together
- Playing with kids
- Reading to the kids
- Teaching/helping kids
- Taking family pictures and videos
- Flying a kite with the kids
- Wrestling, tickling, joking with kids
- Take kids somewhere they enjoy (e.g., amusement park)
- Going dancing
- Flirting
- People watching
- Taking a walk with someone else
- Going to a professional business meeting or conference
- Doing a favour for someone
- Playing cards with someone or a group
- Playing a game with someone
- Planning a vacation with others
- Taking a vacation with others
- Visiting or joining a hobby group
- Visiting or joining a social club
- Visiting or joining church/temple/synagogue/mosque, etc.
- Visiting or joining a community, political, or school group working on causes you believe in
- Joining your neighbourhood association
- Helping to solve a local, state, national, or international problem
- Doing something nice for someone
- Buying someone a present
- Giving money or things to a group or cause you believe in
- Complimenting or thanking people in your life
- Volunteering to help people you enjoy like children, old people, etc.
- Joining a self-help group
- Having a good conversation with someone
- Talking to someone about your interests or things on your mind
- Asking someone for help, advice, or support
- Dressing up and going out on the town
- Going on a picnic
- Camping
- Playing sports with others
- Singing or dancing with someone
- Asking someone you like to get together so they will ask you to go out later
Health and Fitness
- Exercising
- Working out at a health club
- Going to an aerobic class
- Walking
- Jogging
- Swimming
- Lifting weights
- Trying to control or eliminate a bad habit
- Going to counselling
- Reading a self-help book
- Joining a self-help group
- Doing self-help exercises
- Doing Quality Time
- Doing a Relaxation Ritual
- Having a good cry
- Meditating/praying
- Sitting quietly for 30 minutes
- Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep
- Eating three meals a day, including breakfast
- Getting a physical exam
Spiritual and Religious Activities
- Visiting or joining a church, temple, zendo, synagogue, mosque, etc.
- Praying or meditating
- Reading religious, spiritual, or inspirational literature
- Asking someone to pray for you
Satisfying or Enjoyable Chores
- Cook or bake something
- Fixing something
- Cleaning something up
- Doing a home improvement project
- Doing something you’ve put off but will feel great when it’s over
- Dealing with a problem or challenge that has been bothering you
- Completing do-it-yourself repairs or home improvement
- Rearranging or decorating the house/apartment
- Planning the day, including something that is fun or gives you a feeling of accomplishment
- Planning a personal project
- Planning a self-improvement project
Couples Activities (for Romantic Partners)
- Going out on a “date” (without children)
- Giving a massage or backrub
- Taking the kids to a sitter returning home for time together as a couple
- Sharing a romantic dinner at home
- Making time to visit
- Taking a shower or bath together
- Making love
- Cuddling, kissing, or necking
- Trying new approaches to lovemaking
- Spending an evening at a hotel or motel—in or out of town (without children)
- Sharing personal feelings and opinions
- Reading together and discussing ideas
- Reading out loud to each other
- Wrestling, rough housing, or tickling each other
- Flirting with each other
- Complimenting each other
- Planning something to do together
- Visiting, calling, or messaging partner at work
- Having lunch together
- Making love during lunchtime
- Taking a walk during lunchtime
- Showing public displays of affection
- Singing or play music together
- Relaxing (for example, have breakfast and read the newspaper together on Sunday)
- Watching the sun rise or set together
- Going on a picnic together”
References
Frisch, M. (2006). Quality of Life Therapy: Applying a life satisfaction approach to positive psychology and cognitive therapy. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Have you tried this activity? If so, please share your experience.
