By Dr. Jam Caleda, ND

Play is such a fundamental component of childhood and of longevity that we can actually see it as a preserved evolutionary phenotype.

For those who aren’t familiar with the analog sounds of the Nintendo Entertainment System, pressing up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A is known as the Konami Code.

While playing the game Contra on the Nintendo, the mentioned series of buttons can be pressed on the controller before the game begins, automatically adding 30 extra lives to the player. Life would be so easy if Konami was responsible for designing our brains.

As a kid I grew up playing games on electronic entertainment systems like the Nintendo. I also remember having free play with my brother and sister using Lego blocks, or make-believe basketball scenarios where I was Michael Jordan dunking on a homemade hoop in my garage.

Ninety percent of mammalian species, as well as many non-mammalians and even invertebrate organisms, exhibit playfulness during development, showing that it has been through natural selection and afforded advantage. But as we grow older, there is a tendency to curb our enthusiasm for playfulness.

It becomes marginalized as an afterthought when the priority becomes family, work and survival. With this transition, over-stress, anxiety and depression can precipitate, and prolonged exposure to these emotional states can manifest into physiological pathology.

Coping mechanism

There is a growing body of research looking at play as a healthy coping mechanism in negative emotional situations. An early study found that preschool children who were distressed on the first day of school and allowed to free play became less anxious about the experience.

Similarly, children with leukemia have reduced negative emotions toward their situation when they played in parallel or in groups, and the inverse was found with the absence of games or in solitaire play. Play can be an effective tool in mitigating threatening stimulus, which can be helpful when we sometimes swim in apparent threat.

Neurobiology of play

Play and gaming, in whatever context we interpret that as, have profound effects on the body. During play activities, dopamine is released, neurochemicals in the hippocampus stimulate curiosity and excitement, and appropriate regulation of stress hormones emerges. These occurrences stimulate pleasure, curiosity and intense attention.

Some researchers believe that continuous tapping of this neurobiology can increase our capacity to problem-solve, mitigate depression and stimulate more positive, confident behaviours. Playing may be a great opportunity to be the best version of ourselves without fear of judgment or failure.

How we play

I know that playing may seem like an ambitious or childlike endeavour given our busy schedules.

It may not seem appropriate to play video games online, or we may not have time to coordinate a basketball contest, but research shows that cultivating a playful mindset in everyday activities can stimulate the same centres of the brain that game play can activate.

Be willing to try and laugh when you fail

Success isn’t just about succeeding but creating a positive experience when we fall, so we can do it again.

Learn a new skill

Hula hooping, dancing, drawing or other forms of art can be playful and enrich your time in cultivating yourself.

Movement

This is essential. We can get stuck in the same movements with our bodies and our brains become hardwired for that. Moving in novel ways, like dancing, increases different pathways for our brains and reduces risk for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Use apps

Technology has been a great tool in making life more accessible. There are apps that allow us to play games on the go.

Cognitive brain games may also reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

For me, remembering that it’s okay to play is always the first step. Remembering that I am playing when doing something I enjoy is just as important.

As humans we learn a lot about ourselves when we get into this mindset. It becomes a form of self-research, so take the time to learn your code and add 30 extra lives to your game.

Dr. Jam Caleda, ND, is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. A graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon, he now practices at Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre. integrative.ca