All Work No Play

When did life become a cycle of endless tasks, and how do we reclaim the joy of play to build a life of connection, growth, and happiness?

1. Play Saved Dale Sidebottom's Life

At 30 years old, Dale Sidebottom hit rock bottom. He was sleeping on his cousin’s couch, his marriage was over, and he was grappling with the consequences of a work addiction that consumed his twenties. Despite being a successful entrepreneur and educator, his relentless, work-focused mindset left him isolated and broken. In the middle of his struggles, Dale discovered an unexpected remedy: play.

Play became Dale’s lifeline. It reminded him of simpler times when joy and imagination were abundant. Dale began scheduling small moments of fun just for himself: activities that sparked happiness and connected him with his inner child. As he progressed, he started bringing these moments of play into his professional life—incorporating games and lightheartedness into his teaching and coaching. The transformation was immediate as his mood lifted and a sense of presence returned.

Dale credits play with not only improving his mental health but also helping him rebuild authentic connections with others. Play wasn’t just a distraction from his challenges; it acted as the glue that held his recovery together. By actively embracing his forgotten joy, Dale found the strength to rebuild his life.

Examples

• Dale incorporated fun games into his teaching, helping his students connect.
• Scheduling solo playdates helped him rediscover his inner child.
• Playdates evolved into shared moments with clients, enhancing his mood and performance.

2. Play Is Essential for All Ages

We often think of play as something for children, but Dale challenges this idea, pointing to people from all walks of life—including his 100-year-old great-grandmother. She, a lover of Snakes and Ladders, demonstrated how games and playfulness kept her mentally sharp and joyfully engaged well into her later years.

Play begins in childhood as a natural way to explore and learn. Research by Dr. Stuart Brown shows children deprived of play are more likely to struggle socially and behaviorally. But play’s importance doesn’t end after early years—it remains a fundamental part of being human. Peter Gray’s studies suggest play enhances well-being at any age, yet many adults lose this capacity as they grow older.

Even small, playful moments in adulthood—like singing in the car or sharing a joke—have an enduring presence. Dale reminds us that aging doesn’t diminish our need for joy; instead, “We grow old because we stop playing.” Play keeps the spirit alive, whether through board games, hobbies, or lighthearted social interactions.

Examples

• Dale’s great-grandmother’s love of games kept her bright and vibrant past 100.
• Adults can rediscover play by singing to music or laughing over memes.
• Peter Gray’s research confirms play supports a healthy, balanced life at any age.

3. Play Takes Many Forms

Not sure where to even start with play as an adult? Play isn’t confined to swinging on monkey bars or playing tag on a playground. In fact, the beauty of play lies in how diverse it can be—ranging from structured activities like board games to spontaneous moments of creativity or lightheartedness.

One form of play includes specific, intentional activities like puzzles, trivia, or team sports. These provide a clear and definite way to engage in playful behavior. Another approach might be adopting a playful mindset—being spontaneous, experimental, or even mischievous in everyday settings. Finally, you can weave play into unexpected parts of daily life by gamifying tasks or making mundane chores more enjoyable.

Play isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s about finding what resonates with you and cultivating joy in your own way. If the idea of deliberate, big activities doesn’t appeal to you, focus on smaller, approachable moments to add fun into your day.

Examples

• Hosting game nights brings structured play into social settings.
• Lucy, a playful coworker, brightens workdays with jokes and pranks.
• Coach Gunther gamifies warm-ups to make athletes enjoy training.

4. Play Builds Strong Relationships

Whether it’s family, friends, or coworkers, play helps form connections and deepen bonds. Dale recounts leading a simple, silly game called Evolution during a multi-day hiking trip, where participants from different countries instantly became closer through laughter. These moments of fun broke down barriers and fostered camaraderie.

Play is especially effective for strengthening family relationships. Engaging in enjoyable activities lowers stress levels, improves communication, and builds happy, shared memories. Similarly, for couples, spending time on playful activities reinforces emotional intimacy. In work environments, teams that engage in fun activities see boosts in morale and productivity.

The power of play lies in its ability to bring people together in meaningful and memorable ways. Authentic relationships form when people share genuine moments of joy.

Examples

• Dale’s game of Evolution united strangers on a trek to Machu Picchu.
• Family board game nights strengthen bonds while creating lasting memories.
• Playful icebreaker games at work support collaboration and performance.

5. Play Enhances Mental Wellness

It’s well-known that physical health and exercise boost mental wellness, but fewer people recognize that play has a similar effect. Engaging in fun activities releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine. These elevate mood, relieve stress, and even improve brain function.

Dale describes play as a form of mindfulness—it helps people enter a “flow state.” During these moments, they become fully absorbed in the activity at hand, letting go of outside worries. This mirrors the experience of Dale’s colleague during a half-marathon, who achieved his best time by shifting his focus to simply enjoying the race.

Play doesn’t just help mentally; it builds emotional flexibility too. By adopting a playful frame of mind, you start to focus on the moment, rather than stressing over the past or future.

Examples

• Sato-san’s playful encouragement helped a runner during his toughest moments.
• Playing games improves memory and cognitive function over time.
• Dale benefits from the flow state during playful moments of mindfulness.

6. Play Connects to Mindfulness Through PEGG

Dale created a simple framework called PEGG—Play, Exercise, Gratitude, Giving—to integrate play and mindfulness into daily life. This routine ensures every day starts and ends with intentional moments of joy and reflection.

The morning begins with small wins—making the bed and drinking water. Then, thinking about what excites you, what will challenge you, and how you can surprise someone with generosity shifts your mindset toward positivity. Adding ten minutes of activity provides an energy boost, while closing with breathing exercises prepares you mentally.

In the evening, reflecting on gratitude, moments of play, and personal growth fosters appreciation for what the day brought. PEGG creates structure for weaving play and presence into a busy schedule.

Examples

• Dale recommends simple exercises like yoga or kitchen dancing in the morning.
• Reflecting on daily acts of kindness helps bring joy to both giver and receiver.
• Journaling about three moments of gratitude builds appreciation.

7. Childhood Shaped Dale’s Perspective on Play

Dale’s childhood in rural Australia was filled with creativity. With his sisters, he built forts, roamed nature, and played endless games of imagination. This environment taught him firsthand the transformative power of play.

Even as life became complicated later, these memories inspired Dale to make play an integral part of his adult life. He discovered that structured fun wasn’t just for children—it had the same positive effects on adults.

His story reminds readers that childhood wonder never truly disappears; it’s waiting to be rediscovered through intentional play, even amidst adulthood.

Examples

• Dale’s LEGO adventures taught him creativity and teamwork.
• Exploring outdoors shaped his appreciation for uninhibited freedom.
• Family support gave him confidence to value joy and togetherness.

8. Gamifying Life Brings Joy to Everyday Activities

Gamification makes even mundane tasks enjoyable. By turning your day’s objectives into achievable challenges or rewarding experiences, you can maintain motivation and improve focus.

For example, rewarding yourself after completing a chore or playfully timing how quickly you can finish a task can transform dreaded responsibilities. Gamifying turns productivity into fun, helping reframe work as an opportunity for play.

Letting go of the need for constant seriousness helps lower stress and keeps you engaged with life’s small moments.

Examples

• Dale uses gamification techniques like point systems to keep training sessions lively.
• Setting mini rewards turns finishing laundry into motivation instead of obligation.
• Families use star charts to gamify housework, engaging kids.

9. Play Isn’t a Luxury, It’s a Lifeline

In a world obsessed with busyness and efficiency, play may seem like an indulgence. But Dale argues the opposite: play is essential for mental and emotional health.

Rather than seeking happiness through career success or material accomplishments, reconnecting with simple joys provides a sense of fulfillment. The act of play deeply enriches daily life, offering meaning and grounding amidst challenges.

Play is a necessity—it brings lightness back into a heavy, task-filled world.

Examples

• A stressed-out entrepreneur found relief by scheduling weekly game nights.
• Parents reported better communication after prioritizing family playtime.
• Playgroups helped strengthen friendships while reducing loneliness.

Takeaways

1. Embrace a simple morning routine: Make your bed, drink water, and get excited about something in your day.
2. Schedule time for play weekly or daily, incorporating activities you love.
3. Use PEGG to build gratitude and joy into every day—play, reflect, and give to others.