For me, I play every day. I’ve made it my life’s work to play, and to encourage play that’s wrapped up in a banana skin of movement, mindset, connection, and experience.
As Chief Banana Officer, my role is intentionally playful, and my mission is not only one of connection, but also one of play – in the form of bananas, and in the form of movement.
In times of heightened anxiety, play is critical. Play has the power to equip the individual to thrive on a rapidly evolving planet.
Play, if defined as ‘time spent without obvious purpose’, has the potential to provoke anxiety or, worse still, shame. However, engaging in a state of play invites a shift into the present moment, which is a great antidote to anxiety and depression. Play shapes the brain to manage stress, enrich empathy and connectivity, improve resilience and adaptability, and seek out novelty and newness.
“Of all animal species, humans are the biggest players of all. We are built to play and built through play. When we play, we are engaged in the purest expression of our humanity, the truest expression of our individuality.“
Brown, 2009
Play as a stimulus to grow human talent and character – imagination – is something I talk about, in the POWER space: imagination may not be escapism at all, imagination could be the discovery of your truest reality. Imagination, innovation and creativity are all beautiful outcomes of play.
Play is not just for children. Play, as adults, is essential. Even those who were starved of play as a child, can find the joy of play as an adult. Play is a fundamental human component, waiting to be discovered.
For those caught in a spiral of shame around the pre-supposed irresponsibility and childish nature of time spent without obvious purpose (play) find the courage to create space to move. Movement is the essence of play. Explore your style of movement. Your reason to move may be the same as someone else’s, but only when you move in your truth – your why and your what (type of movement) are aligned – will you feel the joy of movement.
Just five minutes of movement sends a signal to your brain that you are embracing the potential and the power of play.
We take the business of play, and bananas, seriously. Please ask us how we can deliver the power of play, to your workspace, client event, brand activation. The only limit to your uniquely bananas POWER experience is your imagination.
Get in touch to learn more