Reuben Feels’ Post

Play and creativity are variations of the same thing. It all comes down to practice. When was the last time you played or did something for the pure joy of it? No goal in mind, just simple enjoyment. The more you practice doing activities for the sheer pleasure of it, the more your creativity muscles are flexed. And if you enjoy new perspectives, your creativity muscles are double-flexed. #innovation #innovativethinking #creativity #creativethinking #play #practice

Do you remember the last time you played? I mean, really played. Not just scrolling through your phone, watching Netflix, or playing video games. But something that made you laugh, smile, and feel alive. Maybe it was a board game with your family, a sport with your friends, or a hobby that you love. Whatever it was, I bet you felt good afterwards. And you probably learned something new, too. That's because play is not only fun, but also beneficial for your personal and professional growth. When you play, you are working on making yourself a better person. How? Let me tell you. Play can help you: Boost your creativity and innovation. Play stimulates your imagination and curiosity, which are essential for generating new ideas and solutions. When you play, you experiment, explore, and discover new possibilities. You also learn to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Improve your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Play helps you develop your cognitive abilities, such as logic, reasoning, and memory. When you play, you face challenges, obstacles, and dilemmas that require you to think critically and strategically. You also learn to adapt, improvise, and overcome failures. Enhance your communication and collaboration skills Play fosters your social and emotional skills, such as empathy, listening, and feedback. When you play, you interact with others, share your thoughts and feelings, and work towards a common goal. You also learn to respect, trust, and support each other. Reduce your stress and increase your happiness. Play releases endorphins, the natural chemicals that make you feel good. When you play, you relax, unwind, and have fun. You also cope better with anxiety, depression, and burnout. Play can also improve your physical health, such as your immune system, blood pressure, and sleep quality. As you can see, play is not a waste of time, but a valuable investment in yourself. Play can help you grow as a person and as a professional. Play can help you achieve your goals and dreams.

Six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by a remarkable 68%! Research by Mindlab International at the University of Sussex has found reading to be more effective at calming nerves than many other leisure activities. It surpasses listening to music (61%), enjoying a cup of tea (54%), taking a stroll (42%), and even playing video games (21%). This weekend, why not pick up that book you've been meaning to read and let yourself be transported away from the hustle and bustle? Not only is reading a fantastic escape, but it's also one of the best ways to quickly enhance your peace of mind. And then, make that a habit through the week! :) #WeekendVibes #ReadRelaxRecharge #StressRelief #change

'Do you want to play?' The first thing young strangers on the playground often say. Two dogs meeting, a ‘play bow’ https://lnkd.in/gG8hQ_XB a ‘dog’ signal asking, ‘Do you want to play’ Even between species, horse and dog, the question is asked… ‘Do you want to play?’ So common, Yet, as adults, when was the last time you were asked? ‘Do you want to play?’ Yet play puts us in a state of flow, creates bonds, shared experiences, gives energy instead of taking it, and dilates time. Yet, more and more, we drive play out of our adult experience. I fear we might be doing this with our children too. Celebrated are the driven, the productive, the efficient. If you peel this back, you might find some of the most driven, productive, and efficient are actually having fun. Playing is not seen as productive. Playing is not seen as effective. Often we feel guilty when caught in play. What stops us from bringing more playfulness into our daily routine? Not just taking a break from work or playing games... Infusing moments of curiosity, creativity, and joy into our tasks. Incorporating small moments of playfulness can increase energy, focus, and overall job satisfaction for you and your team. Playfulness can be found individually through mindfulness, and in a team by fostering a culture of collaboration and psychological safety. Rediscovering the power of play can transform not only your work but your approach to life. I started to forget... Do you want to play? The article and Artwork was human created. #humancreated Inspired after listening to https://bit.ly/3SE00XF Clear and Vivid Podcast David Toomy: Want to Play. The Artwork is used with permission from Gapingvoid Culture Design Group, Interested in more play? Check out their two essay's: https://bit.ly/3WyzcJp and https://bit.ly/3M0JVaB

Why playing can solve our most serious problems. Do we dare to play more? Play!? Are you serious? What is in the way? Daily time constraints? Our fear of being judged childish or unprofessional? Constant pressure to perform? Outcome-focused, goal-oriented, performance-driven days? Cultural norms and rules we grew up with? All the „shoulds“, we had to learn early from our elders: „You should be serious. You should be in control. (No matter what.) You should work hard(er). Life is hard. Play has this unpredictability to it. That our brains do not like. At all. A playful exploration of the Now. Of Life. As Life. This is exactly how we once learned best. Everything we wanted to. How we solved problems. Again and again. Without exhaustion. Without strain. With joy! When we were fed up, we played something else. We merged with the now into a focused flow. Time stopped. Can you remember how it felt? How you enjoyed doing, what you were doing? Here is what play can do for us: 1. Problem solving
 Playing helps us find answers. Any answer. It encourages creative thinking. It invites crazy new ideas that might be surprisingly just what you need now, to go further.
 2. Relaxation, physical and emotional health
 Playing feels goood. It's fun! Are we allowed to say this? Relaxing and moving our bodies leads to clearer thinking and breakthroughs. Reliefs stress. Makes us less worried, instead of further „Kopfzerbrechen“ (German „Head-breaking“), sitting behind a screen, trying desperately to finish Kkkkkrgh...
 3. Effortless learning
 We absorb new information and skills naturally, without feeling pressured or stressed. Having worked as a teacher for so many different people of all ages I observed the results and switched. To even more play. 4. Social skills
 and swarm intelligence Playing fosters social interaction and teamwork. Imagine having relaxed and joyful swarm intelligence at your disposal. Instead of a mostly tired and bored one. What kind of collective brain puzzles could suddenly be solved? Are You happy to attend the next meeting? 5. Understand feelings 
Playing helps us understand how others feel and how to be kind. By observing also in a playful "not too serious" setting - what is not kind. Not helpful.
 Counterproductive. Or even destructive. 6. Thinking skills Play enhances our cognitive abilities. It activates various neural pathways, promotes the formation of new connections, supports brain plasticity. So we can explore different scenarios, experiment with ideas and develop mental flexibility. There is significant scientific evidence for that (and for all other virtues). 7. Cultural understanding
 Different types of play with different types of people teach us different types of cultural perspectives and traditions. Very helpful, when you have to work or negotiate in international settings.

Why does almost all creativity involve purposeful play? 🤔 Because play engages our brain in unique ways, unlocking creativity. 🧠💡 Do you remember those carefree days of childhood? Anything seemed possible. Reaching for the moon was as simple as stretching out your hand! 🖐️ Guess what, you still can, Play isn’t just for kids—it’s for us adults too. 🤩 Because, when we play we: ➡️ Reconnect with childlike wonder - like children, we learn through play and can imagine the impossible. ➡️ Lower our inhibitions - enabling us to explore more ideas without fear. ➡️ Engage our imagination - we activate new neural pathways, rewiring our minds for innovation. ➡️ Encourage experimentation - when the stakes are low, it feels safer to toy with unconventional ideas. ➡️ Build better human connections - which helps reduce stress, boosts morale, and energises us! And of course, we have fun! This isn’t just child’s play; it’s the key to a richer, more imaginative life—and a more innovative, profitable business! If the old ways are not working, it's time to Play - let's connect. #play #legoseriousplay #creativity #creativethinking

Pause. Reset. Play. Can video games be the ultimate zen master? Are you ready to question the conventional? Let's talk about gaming, not as a distraction, but as a means to mindfulness. Forget what you've heard about video games being a waste of time. It's time to challenge that narrative. Gaming has evolved, and so has its impact on our lives. It's no longer just about saving princesses or shooting zombies. It's about problem-solving, strategizing, and exploring new worlds. It's about immersing yourself in a narrative that takes you away from your daily stresses. Think about it. You're in the zone, your mind is focused, you're processing information, making split-second decisions, and you're in control. Sound familiar? It's meditation, just with a controller in your hands. But don't take my word for it. Studies are showing the positive effects of gaming on mental health. Reduced stress levels, improved mood, even enhanced cognitive function have been linked to gaming. So, let's rethink our approach to mindfulness. Let's consider swapping out the yoga mat for a gaming console. Next time you need a moment of calm, pick up that controller. Let gaming be your meditation. And remember, there's no 'right way' to find peace of mind. Dare to be different. Dare to game. Ready to redefine meditation? Engage in the comments. Share your favorite 'zen' game, let's challenge the norm together. #meditation #gaming #future

#DYK Recreational screen activities, such as watching 📺 or videos, playing video games🎮, texting, or using social media can influence how long and how well youth sleep? Read more about the importance of sleep: https://loom.ly/X6eGzRA #ABCDStudy

There's been a quirky thing happening around me lately (no, not the upcoming solar eclipse ☀ - wrong hemisphere). Each day, without fail, I've been getting these playful reminders from friends. Memes, quotes, you name it, all shouting out in unison: #PLAY! It's as if the universe is trying to tell me something, or perhaps it's just my friends seeing the 'play advocate' (Acme) neon sign blinking over my head. 😄 So here I am, knee-deep in this world where I champion and facilitate play and applied improv not just as activities but as transformative mindsets that spark growth, creativity, and innovation. BUT, behind the scenes, I sometimes grapple with feeling underestimated, misunderstood and deflated, sentiments that aren't just a result of this rainy Friday. Let me explain. My journey hasn't been all confetti and streamers. There's been a fair share of 'no's'—from jobs that don't quite “fit” to organisations that aren't ready to hop on the play bandwagon YET. And sure, it feels like I've been handed the short straw sometimes, but here's the twist: each 'no' actually should* get me more excited. Why? Because it's another chance to showcase how play goes beyond  just fun and games—it's backed by solid research showing it can boost creativity, solve problems in new ways, and, yes, even give our bottom line a happy boost. (And today, *I need reminding about the power of a 'no') Gwen Gordon and Gary Ware hit the nail on the head when they talk about the difference between playgrounds and proving grounds. My aim? To sprinkle more playgrounds in the world of work where adults can reconnect with their playful spirits, ignite their creativity, and innovate like kids with a box of LEGO or cans of play dough or <insert random office supply>. No judgments, no scorecards, just pure, unadulterated play. No need to PROVE themselves. So, as I juggle my own moments of doubt and bursts of playful inspiration, I ask: How often do you let yourself play? I mean, really play, without a care in the world about the outcomes. I'm curious to hear how play shapes your world, shakes up your creativity, makes the daily grind a bit more joyful, and maybe, just maybe, come up with the new innovation or solution your company or customers are looking for. Please continue to fill my inbox, IG, DMs and comments below with stories of how play is quietly revolutionising the way YOU work, think, and innovate—like the silent unicorn of the business world! Your stories of play might just be the nudge I need to turn my funk into my next playful adventure. (Which includes my upcoming collaboration with the companies participating in CSIRO OnAccelerate) Thank you Megan Flamer, Yas Grigaliunas, Annie Parker for the play reminders! #facilitation #innovation (quote below is from Mary Poppins in case it wasn’t clear 🌂🤗