Finding your Happy Place: How play and experimentation unlock inner calm

Play is serious business (for your brain)

When we think of ways to unwind or de-stress as adults, our minds typically jump to well-established but rather obvious options of yoga, meditation, walking in nature or a drink with friends. However, according to neuroscience, we might be missing a crucial component in our mental-wellbeing toolkit.

Stuart Brown, a pioneering neuroscientist and founder of the National Institute for Play, argues that play is essential for a healthy brain. His research shows that engaging in playful activities triggers the release of brain chemicals like dopamine, which makes us feel good, reduces stress and improves cognitive flexibility – in other words, the brain’s ability to think outside the box. It’s like mental reformer pilates (but without the weird machines).

Additionally, playful experimentation releases endorphins, which not only improves mood but also increases brain functionality by enhancing neural connections and boosting creativity. As Brown puts it, “Play lights up the brain, improving everything from mood to problem-solving skills, while simultaneously enhancing our ability to adapt to new challenges.” This rush of endorphins, alongside dopamine, is part of what makes play feel so good and why it’s such a powerful tool for maintaining emotional and mental health.

Brown explains that when adults roll up their sleeves and engage in active play, they activate regions of the brain that help them relax, stay motivated and problem-solve more effectively. He identifies a variety of different types of play, including imaginative, ritual, body, object and storytelling. So, whether it’s playing a computer game, building the Eiffel Tower out of LEGO bricks, playing hide and seek in the forest, or just having a spontaneous moment of abject silliness, the brain benefits from these joyful experiences.

Activities for pure enjoyment have even been shown to improve social interactions and boost resilience. Neuroscientific research reveals that people who incorporate play into their lives tend to be better at handling stress and have a higher tolerance for uncertainty. It’s like your brain is whispering, “Go ahead, build that LEGO masterpiece – you’ll thank me later.”

A creative boost

But play doesn’t just benefit your mental well-being; it’s also a powerful tool for unlocking creativity. Creative minds, especially in industries like art and design, rely on moments of mental openness to generate fresh ideas. And play? It’s like the secret sauce for sparking those breakthrough moments if you’ve been struggling to crack a brief or mulling over a stagnant idea.

Emma Worrollo, a play expert and founder of the market research consultancy The Pineapple Lounge, speaks about the vital role that play has in maintaining creativity in adulthood. She believes that when we embrace experimentation, we reconnect with the imaginative, free-flowing mindset we had as children. “Play takes you to a place where the stakes are lower, and that’s where creativity thrives,” she explains.

If you’re unsure where to start as an adult, Worrollo suggests beginning with simple, low-pressure activities. “Think about what made you lose track of time as a child, and start there,” she advises. “Whether it’s doodling, building with your hands, or even a game of cards, the key is to approach it with curiosity rather than a goal.”

Play lets your mind wander, explore and connect ideas in ways that strict, formal thinking simply cannot. Just think about the most creative moments you’ve had – they probably happened when you were in a playful, relaxed headspace rather than staring blankly at a backlit screen. Incorporating playful breaks into your workday or your creative process can lead to moments of flow where time seems to slip away and ideas naturally come together.

The creative connection to calm

While play is often seen as a way to unleash creativity, it also plays a significant role in helping us find calm and focus. Think about it: when you’re fully engaged in a playful or creative activity, you’re not obsessing over deadlines, errands or that awkward thing you said at a house party three years ago. You’re present. That’s the magic of play – it pulls you into the moment and, in doing so, helps quieten the mind.

For many creatives, making art or engaging in hands-on projects is a form of meditation or joyful focus. They escape the everyday stresses of life and return to a state of childlike joy. Whether it’s painting, building a LEGO Galaxy Explorer, or doodling in a sketchbook, these activities create a mental space that lets the mind rest while the hands are busy.

Take the case of illustrator Tishk Barzanji. Originally on track to become a physician, Tishk’s life took an unexpected turn when he became seriously ill in 2013, leaving him bedridden for months. During this challenging period, he turned to drawing as a means of escape and healing. “Creating these imaginary worlds became my way of escaping the pain and building a place where I could feel safe and free,” Tishk says. His artwork, often depicting surreal, dreamlike built environments – featuring intricate architectural spaces filled with vibrant colours and geometric forms – allowed him to recover emotionally, while constructing a visual representation of his own personal refuge. By using play and creativity, he not only processed his experience but also crafted a calming, imaginative space where the boundaries of reality and fantasy blur.

Similarly, illustrator Ruby, Etc. uses the comic format to explore and express tough emotions in a playful yet profound way. For Ruby, the act of drawing comics – often filled with humour and exaggerated expressions – helps her tackle themes of mental health, loneliness and anxiety. “Comics let me take heavy emotions and make them feel lighter,” Ruby explains. “By turning them into something visual and often funny, I can process what I’m feeling without being overwhelmed by it. It’s like a pressure valve for my brain.”

The idea is simple: when we allow ourselves to play, we give our minds permission to take a break from the constant stream of adult responsibilities. It’s not about being irresponsible; it’s about giving yourself a mental reset. And when you reset, you often come back sharper, more focused and – perhaps most importantly – a bit more joyful.

Reclaiming play as adults

The biggest misconception about play is that it’s something we’re supposed to outgrow. But the truth is, we’re never too old to play. In fact, research shows that engaging in playful activities, especially those that involve using your hands and social interaction, can have profound effects on your mental health. Building a puzzle, experimenting with art or even tossing a ball around with a friend are all ways to incorporate play into our everyday routines. These seemingly small activities have enormous potential to shift our mindsets and improve our well-being.

Engaging in play also nurtures the parts of us that hold onto lifelong passions. Those hobbies and creative pursuits that we fell in love with as children can sustain us through the pressures of adult life. Bristol-based muralist Esme Lower brings this approach when she designs murals for public spaces. “I am inspired by cartoons from my childhood and always aim to make myself laugh when I’m initially sketching ideas,” she says. “I usually end up down a rabbit hole where the final design is something totally different from the initial idea. This approach helps me find joy in the process and worry less about the outcome.” For Esme, playfulness isn’t just about having fun – it also allows her to tackle political topics in a dynamic and energetic way, blending humour with activism in her comic-inspired murals.

Photographer Johnny Man also explores this idea in his own creative process. For Johnny, photography started as a way to document his surroundings, but it evolved into a deeply playful and meaningful pursuit. “Photography allows me to see the world through a different lens, literally and figuratively. Every time I pick up the camera, I’m playing with light, composition and perspective, which keeps me curious and excited about the work,” Johnny explains. His approach to photography combines technical skill with the same playful curiosity he had as a child, keeping the creative spark alive while allowing him to find meaning in the world around him.

Creativity and community

So far, we’ve looked at play mainly as something we do alone, but group activities can help strengthen bonds and create a sense of community. It reminds us that we’re not alone in this big, sometimes-overwhelming world of adulthood. Play, when shared, can bring people together in unexpected and joyful ways, creating spaces where connection and creativity thrive.

Esme taps into this collective power of play through her community-centred outdoor artworks. For her, creating murals isn’t just about making beautiful art – it’s about fostering a sense of playfulness and connection within the neighbourhoods where she works. When she paints these large, vibrant pieces, she invites the whole community to play as the work becomes part of the environment, something everyone can enjoy and engage with.

Esme has had an exciting year, particularly being part of Bristol’s Smallest Street-Art Festival, where artists transformed an alleyway of garages in the city’s Brislington district into a vibrant, shared artwork. “I had a really interesting canvas to work with, half concrete, half corrugated metal, which I’d never worked with before,” she says. “I decided to freestyle some areas, and it ended up being one of my favourite pieces to date – reminding me to always trust the process and have fun with it.”

Her murals, which often feature colourful scenes, act as a catalyst for conversation and interaction among people who may have otherwise never connected. “It’s amazing to see how a piece of art can transform a space into a gathering spot,” she says. “Many people mention how it now brightens their daily walk to work, where previously it had been through a dull and lifeless alleyway.”

Whether it’s through painting murals, organising community art projects, or simply encouraging a spirit of openness and collaboration, play can turn shared spaces into creative playgrounds where everyone is invited. These shared experiences remind us that creativity and community are deeply connected, and that play is not only a personal joy but a powerful way to bring people together.

Building your Happy Place

This is where LEGO and It’s Nice That’s Inner Piece partnership comes in. This initiative is all about helping grown-ups rediscover the joys of hands-on, creative experimentation. Whether you’re building a miniature city, a dream home or a beautiful LEGO flower, the tactile act of clicking those little bricks together can transport you to a place of inner tranquillity and joyful focus.

Through this partnership, we’re aiming to inspire adults to embrace this approach to finding their “Happy Place”. It’s about slowing down, stepping away from the digital overwhelm, and getting lost in something simple yet profoundly mindful. The installation and workshops, running from TKTK to TKTK in TKTK, prove how creativity and play don’t just benefit our mental wellbeing – they can also reinvigorate our work and open up new paths for innovative thinking.

So, next time you feel weighed down by the responsibilities of adult life, remember this: play isn’t just for kids. It’s for anyone looking to feel happier, calmer and more creative. Whether it’s sketching, building or just messing around, you owe it to your brain – and your wellbeing – to give yourself permission to play. Your inner child (and your adult self) will thank you for it.

Build your Happy Place at Inner Piece from 7th - 13th October at 37 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DR.