7 Science-Backed Skills We Can Learn From Kids
Ever watch a kid burst into laughter over a puddle or spend an hour turning cardboard boxes into a whole new world? Their energy can be a lot sometimes, but there’s something special in the way they approach life.
What if that same curiosity and wonder is exactly what we’re missing as adults?
Research shows that tapping into these childlike qualities can do wonders for our mental and physical health. In this article, I’ll share 7 science-backed skills we can learn from kids—from the magic of play to the art of adapting.
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Learn your play style. There are 8 different “play personalities” as defined by Dr. Stuart Brown. These include the joker, the kinesthete, the explorer, the competitor, the director, the collector, the artist/creator, and the storyteller. Take the quiz here to find yours to help identify your play focus. Turns out that I’m an Explorer.
And when it comes to your physical health, researchers have found that holding on to a grudge led to higher levels of inflammation and cardiovascular disease while practicing forgiveness meant lower blood pressure and reduced inflammation.
Practice these three steps for happiness, which I discuss in my article, The Secret of Happy People:
Related: 8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Happiness These Mindfulness Practices
Arthur Books echoes this sentiment in his book, From Strength to Strength. He gives examples of the importance of seeking novelty and living in the moment to lead a more purposeful and satisfying life, an idea he takes from the Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.
In one study, researchers found that people who scored higher on a measure of authentic living reported greater happiness, more positive emotions, and higher self-esteem than people who reported being less authentic. More authentic people also reported having better relationships with others and more personal growth. Similar results were found in another study: more authentic people were found to be happier with their lives and have higher self-esteem.
When it came to studies, one study looked at how well they adjusted to new situations in high school. They found that adaptability is made up of 3 parts: actions (behaving differently in new situations), thinking (adjusting your thoughts), and emotions (managing your feelings). Students who were more adaptable were happier with school, participated more in class, and had a stronger sense of purpose in life. Interestingly, adaptability was a better predictor of these successes than how well students did before or their personality. The lead researcher for the study later wrote, “Young people can be taught how to be more adaptable, and then in turn better embrace the opportunities of their ever-changing world.”
It’s important to note that the ability to adapt is different than the skill of being resilient. The Times Higher Education breaks them up in these ways:
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