According to neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp, there are seven foundational brain circuits that align with the primary emotions we are born with — seeking, rage, fear, lust, care, panic and play. These primal emotions are pre-wired in our midbrain at birth, meaning the instinct to play is built into our biology. The drive to play is as essential to us as the need for food and sleep.

Our play circuits create our “play nature,” which are the preferences we have for certain kinds of play, like movement play, object play, or social play. As we grow up, those preferences expand and interact, leading to our play personality, as defined by Dr. Stuart Brown. By looking at what we’ve found playful in the past, we can better understand the types of activities or situations that make us feel free, happy, engaged and in-flow. 

Research from the National Institute of Play suggests that the more adults connect with their play nature, the greater their overall well-being, optimism, adaptability and resiliency.

“A lack of play should be treated like malnutrition – it’s a health risk to your body and mind. Find the play that feeds your soul, build an environment where people understand your needs, and get out there and make it a priority to stay play-nourished.”

— Dr. Stuart Brown, medical doctor psychiatrist, researcher, and the founder of the National Institute of Play

When we don’t prioritize play or our overall wellbeing, we experience burnout. SHRM’s Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series, released for Mental Health Awareness Month in May,  found that, of the U.S. employees surveyed:

• 44 percent feel burned out at work

• 45 percent feel “emotionally drained” from their work

• 51 percent feel “used up” at the end of the workday

The SHRM research aligns with previous reports, including the American Psychology Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey, in which 57 percent of workers said they experienced negative impacts due to work-related stress associated with burnout, including emotional exhaustion, irritability, and anger. Some studies, like Mercer's 2024 Global Talent Trends research, show even more staggering numbers, with a whopping 82 percent of employees experiencing burnout. 

Burnout not only impacts sleep and relationships, it can cause long-term health problems like anxiety and depression, lower job satisfaction, diminish job performance and lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. And it’s not just the employee’s productivity that takes a hit — the entire team experiences reduced engagement and can feel overwhelmed, unappreciated and unsupported.