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