Feb 19, 2026 - Health
Play may be key to better problem-solving
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Tell a workaholic: Play isn't just good for your health — it could make you more productive at work.
Why it matters: Taking play breaks can reduce stress, strengthen teamwork, and boost creativity and problem-solving.
The big picture: Play enables better work.
- Being in a high-pressure, serious state can put your brain into a fear mode that shuts down cognitive functioning, says Piera Gelardi, Refinery29 co-founder and author of the forthcoming book "The Playful Way" (out in April).
- "Whereas when we're in a playful state, we're in a more exploratory, open-minded, experimental place, and that's usually where solutions come from," she says.
Zoom out: Meanwhile, "play deprivation" could affect your mental health, according to Stuart Brown, clinical researcher and founder of the National Institute for Play.
Adding some play to your workday can look like:
- Stepping away to doodle for a few minutes.
- Listening to your favorite song — without scrolling on your phone.
- Going for a walk to seek awe in the outdoors.
To find more opportunities to play, identify the grown-up version of the thing you loved as a kid, Gelardi says.
- If you spent hours dressing up dolls, explore your personal style now.
- If playing house made you lose track of time, people-watch and imagine their backstories.
- If you thrived on sports teams, build more movement into your day.
Carly's thought bubble: My two favorite play activities are...
- Going to movement class or another kind of sober dance party.
- Running around the house with my curious, energetic toddler.
