American Journal of Play v7n2A study published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Play suggests that playfulness is key to keeping a mate. This follows up on an earlier study that found the same characteristics important for attracting a mate.

The new study, by researchers at the University of Zurich, determined that playfulness retains its meaning even for people already in a relationship.

People perceive playfulness as being beneficial to well-functioning romantic relationships, by increasing well-being in the partnership, by maintain the excitement and conveying one’s affection, or, more generally speaking, by more deeply cultivating the relationship.

Now if that study has you thinking about how you might increase the playfulness in your life, might I suggest a webinar, “Pursuing Playfulness“, with author Bernie De Koven. The webinar, sponsored by the North American Simulation and Gaming Association, is free and scheduled for this coming Monday.

We all seek to use games and other learning activities to engage with the learners. Understanding and taking a playful approach will encourage participants to make the game (or learning) their own. Bernie will talk about the nature of playfulness based on many years of experience in pursuit of play. You will come away with a new sense of what it means to be playful and its potential for enhancing your games and for your life.