During the pandemic lockdown, I experienced feelings of isolation and detachment from the usual enjoyment and activities with friends and family. I spent an excessive amount of time deep in thought, reading and reflecting, yet craving the basic nourishment that comes from play. Once restrictions were lifted, all I desired was to wag my tail at others and invite them to partake in a game of catch. Intellectual engagement can be rewarding, but stepping outside and throwing objects is significantly more enjoyable and provides a needed respite from countless hours in front of screens. Throwing and catching draw us into an intriguing state of effortless attention. This form of attention, unlike the demanding, detail-focused concentration needed for most work, feels instinctive and rejuvenating. Each throw varies in speed or arc, prompting the catcher to assess velocity and angle and make quick adjustments in posture and hands. This ongoing novelty revitalizes a weary brain while bringing joy to the body.
My friend Brad Johnston introduced me to the concept of “mammal play.” He employs pairs of lightweight frisbee discs that can be either pushed or tossed, one or two at a time, sometimes alternating or utilizing both at once. The distances, speeds, and throwing hands shift unexpectedly. The receiver must remain attentive, relying on the body’s ingrained wisdom to respond. The game can be graceful one moment and absurdly challenging the next. It serves as a playful lesson in adapting to the unknown, similar to the experience of being on call for radiologists. Two emergency cases may arise simultaneously, but you can only examine one study at a time. You must make rapid decisions. Which disc do you pursue first? Which one do you allow to pass and retrieve later?
During fast-paced play, exchanges become too quick for your rational mind to handle. You must have faith in your reflexes. Transitioning from measured, logical thought to swift, instinctual reactions provides opportunities to be amazed by your body. Wow, did you see me pull that off? There’s an excitement in achieving something unexpected, which can enhance your confidence in your abilities well into adulthood. Learning to engage in play this way, at the limits of your physical capabilities, might even broaden your consciousness.
Though seemingly straightforward, throwing and catching games enable us to engage in intricate systems thinking. They offer an opportunity to modify rules and observe the resulting changes, both in the physical dynamics of the game and in relational aspects. You might play at a distance of eight feet, creating a nuanced game of awareness and focus. You might alternate between your left and right hand, resembling juggling. You could take it outdoors, where the wind, shifting light, and environmental obstacles introduce elements of chance.
A simple game reveals much about people: Who sticks to established rules and who creates new ones? Who finds humor in their mistakes, and who sulks?
As Friedrich Schiller stated in 1795, “Man only plays when he is in the full sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays.”
Schiller employed play to depict a state where our “sense drive” (physical requirements) and “form drive” (rational order) are balanced. He argued that in play, we encounter freedom (not governed solely by obligation or desire) and thus realize our complete humanity.
Humans are not genetically “wired” to throw balls, yet our evolved appreciation for trajectory, timing, and cooperative play makes the act of throwing and catching an almost unavoidable pleasure wherever suitable objects and willing partners exist. Bringing a ball or disc with your lunch may accomplish more than just burning a few calories. It can transform your brain from focused thinking to fascinated attention, trigger dopamine spikes when you impress yourself by catching a challenging throw, lower stress levels, and reinforce social connections.
Unlike yoga or solitary mindfulness, a friendly game of toss requires eye contact and cooperation, vital components for connection. A simple game of catch delivers substantial benefits for wellness. It revitalizes the mind, reduces heart rate, enhances mood, and, most importantly, reinforces the idea that play is not a luxury but a fundamental human necessity. And, best of all, it’s enjoyable.
*Sarah Averill is a radiologist.*