Recent research indicates that adults who exhibit higher levels of playfulness demonstrated significantly greater resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic than their less playful counterparts.

This pivotal study from Oregon State University highlights the essential role of playfulness as a crucial yet often overlooked asset for fostering resilience and well-being during challenging times like the pandemic. It’s a trait that can be nurtured by individuals.

“Exploring how playful individuals navigate hardships can provide insights for developing strategies and interventions to help others manage stress and uncertainty,” explained Sharon Shen, the director of the Health, Environment and Leisure Research Lab (HEAL) and the study’s lead researcher.

“Those who are highly playful were equally aware of the risks and challenges presented by COVID-19, but they excelled at turning challenges into opportunities—creatively envisioning positive outcomes and discovering ways to cultivate joy during tough times,” Shen noted.

“This insight is increasingly relevant as we encounter growing global challenges that necessitate both realistic assessments and innovative adaptations.”

Issues such as the pandemic, economic instability, and social concerns can amplify chronic stress, which poses a significant public health risk in the United States, contributing to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

Shen, alongside researcher Zoe Crawley, divided a participant pool of over 500 American adults into two categories: those who displayed low playfulness according to the Adult Playfulness Trait Scale and those characterized by higher playfulness levels.

“While both groups shared similar views on risk and protective factors, the more playful individuals showed greater optimism concerning future possibilities, engaged in more creative problem-solving, and infused quality and enjoyment into their daily lives,” said Shen, whose team also developed the trait measurement scale in 2014.

“They actively transformed challenging circumstances, found innovative alternatives for lost opportunities, perceived obstacles as chances for growth, and maintained a strong sense of control over their reactions.”

Interestingly, while the highly playful individuals did not necessarily engage in different activities or do so more frequently than their less playful peers, they experienced those activities with a much deeper quality—higher levels of immersion, engagement, and positive emotions.

“This essentially reflects the adage of making lemonade out of lemons, which is intricately linked to the concept of resilience,” she remarked. “Their distinctive blend of accurate assessment and adaptable problem-solving provided a powerful example of how personality traits like playfulness influence our responses to stress.”

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Shen stressed that playful individuals do not don “rose-colored glasses” but have the capacity to recognize the positive while maintaining a realistic outlook.

While science has previously suggested that those who are playful “reframe” scenarios to add enjoyment, this concept has remained broadly defined and untested. The specifics of this reframing were unclear.

Shen and Crawley viewed COVID-19 as an ideal chance to explore these questions. With a majority of people going through similar disruptions, they could investigate without making assumptions and identify the precise mechanisms through which playfulness aids individuals in coping with difficult situations.

“Playfulness doesn’t alter reality; it enhances it,” Shen affirmed. “Although our research focused on measuring playfulness rather than fostering it, evidence points to various methods for nurturing this valuable trait.”

Ways to Cultivate Playfulness Include:

• Participating in activities that ignite joy and curiosity.
• Embracing new experiences, including exploring novel approaches to daily tasks.
• Creating spaces for spontaneous, unstructured exploration.
• Spending time with those who bring laughter and inspire a playful spirit.
• Welcoming moments of humor and light-heartedness when suitable.

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“It’s essential to recognize that the perception of appropriateness may differ among individuals, and understanding boundaries makes exploring these areas even more enjoyable,” Shen stated. “The crux of it all lies in prioritizing the quality of engagement rather than merely participating in what could be considered playful activities. True playfulness doesn’t necessary require playgrounds, games, or toys; it involves fostering an openness, adaptability, and enjoyment in daily encounters.”

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Shen adds that intentionally setting aside time for play is crucial, providing a secure environment for expressing and practicing playfulness.

“Even during busy times, dedicating just five to ten minutes a day for a bit of play—whether alone or shared with others—can significantly enhance well-being,” Shen remarked.

The results of their research were published in Frontiers in Psychology.

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