A new study reveals that playfulness in adults can significantly boost resilience during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adults with higher levels of playfulness showed remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from Oregon State University. The study, led by Xiangyou “Sharon” Shen and published in Frontiers in Psychology, asserts that playfulness is a crucial, yet underappreciated, resource for fostering resilience and well-being in times of adversity.
“Understanding how playful people navigate adversity can inform interventions and strategies to help people cope with stress and uncertainty,” Shen, an assistant professor in OSU’s College of Forestry and director of the Health, Environment and Leisure Research Lab (HEAL), said in a news release. “This is particularly relevant as we face increasing global challenges that require both realistic assessment and creative adaptation.”
The study evaluated more than 500 adults in the United States, divided into groups based on their levels of playfulness using the Adult Playfulness Trait Scale.
The researchers found that highly playful individuals shared a similar awareness of risks and protective factors as their less playful peers but exhibited greater optimism, creative problem-solving skills and the ability to infuse enjoyment into daily activities.
Chronic stress, a prevalent public health issue in the United States, is linked to various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety. The American Psychological Association points out that the pandemic, economic instability and social issues have further exacerbated stress levels, highlighting the need for effective coping strategies.
The findings revealed that while playful individuals did not necessarily engage in different activities than their less playful counterparts, they experienced these activities with higher quality, characterized by greater immersion, activeness and positive emotions.
“This is essentially making lemonade from lemons, and it’s connected intimately with resilience,” Shen added. “Their unique combination of realistic assessment and flexible problem solving emerged as a powerful formula, offering a vivid demonstration of how personality traits like playfulness shape our responses under stress.”
Shen noted that playful people do not view the world through “rose-colored glasses” but possess the ability to discern positive aspects while maintaining “clear-eyed realism. “
“Highly playful people were just as realistic about COVID-19 risks and challenges as others, but they excelled at ‘lemonading’ — creatively imagining and pursuing the positive, discovering ways to create moments of joy even in difficult circumstances,” she added.
Researchers have long suggested that playful people “reframe” situations to make them more enjoyable, but this concept had been somewhat vague and untested. The pandemic provided Shen and co-author Zoe Crawley, a HEAL researcher, an opportunity to research further and validate these claims.
“Playfulness doesn’t distort reality – it enhances it,” added Shen. “And while our study focused on measuring rather than developing playfulness, research suggests several approaches to cultivate this quality.”
Some of these approaches include engaging in activities that spark joy and curiosity, being open to new experiences, creating opportunities for unstructured exploration, spending time with people who inspire laughter and embracing moments of silliness and humor when appropriate.
According to Shen, focusing on the quality of engagement is key, as playfulness is more about an open, flexible and fun spirit rather than specific activities.
“Even during hectic times, dedicating five to 10 minutes daily for a small dose of play — whether solo or shared — can make a meaningful difference,” Shen concluded.