1. Set the Goal of Playing More
Making play a priority is the first step toward actually doing it. Just like fitness or career goals, setting a clear intention helps you stay focused and committed. Say to yourself, “I will incorporate more play into my life,” and remind yourself regularly. This commitment to “make space for play” creates permission and momentum to seek playful moments. Once you declare this goal, you’re more likely to notice opportunities and say yes to Plex and play.
2. Decide What Fun Means for You
Play is deeply personal — what excites one person might bore another. Reflect on what fun and playfulness meant to you as a child and explore different play styles (like physical, imaginative, social, or creative play). Using tools like playfulness charts or simply brainstorming activities that light you up helps you discover your unique play profile. When you know what truly energizes you, it’s easier to choose play that feels authentic and fulfilling.
3. Put Fun in Your Schedule
If you don’t schedule play, it often gets crowded out by “more important” tasks. Just like exercise or work meetings, block out daily or weekly time dedicated to having fun. This can be as simple as a 20-minute walk with music or a weekly game night. Planning ahead removes the guesswork and guilt, turning play into a valued habit rather than a luxury. Also schedule longer blocks (like several hours) for play every few weeks and maybe even a few days every few months.
4. Set a Fun Minimum
Treat play like a non-negotiable part of your day. Committing to a minimum amount — whether it’s 15 minutes or half an hour — builds consistency and reminds your brain that play is part of your routine. This daily dose of play fuels creativity, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience. Over time, it strengthens your playful muscles, making it easier to access your playfulness when life gets heavy.
5. Make Play Easily Accessible
Out of sight is out of mind, especially for play. Keep items that spark your playful side—puzzles, craft supplies, silly toys—in a visible and easy-to-reach place. Alongside this, maintain a list of go-to activities you enjoy, whether solo, with friends, or on date nights. Having these playful tools and ideas at your fingertips reduces friction and helps you jump into fun without hesitation.
6. Make Your Routines More Playful
Even mundane tasks like grocery shopping or cleaning can be opportunities to play. Try adding music and dancing while you clean or turning errands into a timed challenge. When you infuse routine with lightness and creativity, you break the monotony and invite play throughout your day.
7. Make Work More Fun
Work can have a playful element too if you let it. Find ways to add your personality and humor into your daily tasks — from quick dance breaks to playful emails or team games. These moments refresh your focus and build camaraderie. When work becomes less about just checking boxes and more about creative engagement, your energy and satisfaction rise.
8. Befriend a Playful Person
Playful energy is contagious. Surrounding yourself with people who know how to play, laugh, and be spontaneous inspires you to loosen up and try new playful behaviors. Their natural ease with fun models how to live with more joy, even when life gets stressful.
9. Add Play to Your Relationships
Relationships thrive on connection and laughter, both of which play naturally fosters. Make time for play dates, inside jokes, or shared silly challenges with friends and family. With a spouse or partner, playful rituals and lighthearted teasing can deepen intimacy and keep the relationship vibrant. Play adds a spark that fuels ongoing joy and connection.
10. Hang Out with Kids or Volunteer with Them
Kids are experts at living in the moment and embracing play wholeheartedly. Spending time with children — whether grandkids, nieces, or through volunteering — invites you to slow down and tap into that natural energy. Their uninhibited joy and imagination are contagious, helping you rediscover how to be playful without hesitation.
11. Include Laughter in Your Morning Routine
Starting your day with laughter sets a joyful tone for everything that follows. Try subscribing to daily joke emails, watching a funny video, or swapping memes with friends each morning. This simple habit primes your brain for positivity, reduces stress, and makes you more resilient to challenges throughout the day.
12. Crack Yourself Up
The ability to laugh at yourself is a powerful resilience tool. Embrace your quirks, mistakes, and awkward moments with humor instead of judgment. You can access your playful spirit by buying a quirky gag gift, watching a silly show, or doing something purely because it makes you laugh. These small acts remind you to take life lightly and invite more joy.
13. Explore New Forms of Play
Expanding your play repertoire stretches your comfort zone and fuels personal growth. Try activities you’ve never done before — like learning to juggle, joining an improv group, or taking a dance class. New forms of play spark creativity and adaptability, enhancing your ability to Plex in all areas of life.
14. Reflect and Celebrate Your Play Wins
Regularly pausing to recognize your playful moments deepens your appreciation and motivation. Celebrate both big and small wins — whether you tried a new game, shared a laugh, or simply gave yourself permission to play. Reflection helps you see the positive impact play has on your mood, relationships, and creativity, encouraging you to Plex even more.
Plexing your life with play isn’t about being childish; it’s about reclaiming a vital source of energy and connection. By making play intentional, accessible, and diverse, you expand your capacity for joy and resilience. Start with one or two ideas here and watch how the playful spirit you cultivate ripples into all parts of your life.
