Playfulness Strengthens Relationships—and Climate Action
What do climate action and romantic relationships have in common? More than you might think. According to a recent New York Times article by Jancee Dunn, playfulness is a secret ingredient for stronger, healthier relationships. Having fun together—whether through inside jokes, silly games, or shared adventures—deepens emotional connections, relieves stress, and fosters creativity.
Whether we’re hugging trees or hugging each other, playfulness matters.
It turns out the same principles apply to climate work. In fact, incorporating playfulness into climate action can reduce burnout, boost creativity, and make the work more effective and sustainable. Let’s take a closer look at how playfulness strengthens both relationships and climate efforts.
1. Playfulness Builds Connection
Being playful allows people to break out of routine patterns and experience joy together, reinforcing their emotional connection. Consequently, couples who engage in fun activities together often build stronger bonds and see each other in a fresh light.
In climate work, connection is just as important. Whether it’s among team members, volunteers, or communities, fostering strong relationships is key to driving change–I think a lot of us feel that when we’re working with others in this space. I know when I’ve engaged in playful activities with teams I’m a part of—like creative problem-solving games, outdoor adventures, or friendly competitions—it has strengthened trust and collaboration among us. Climate action isn’t a solo sport; it thrives on connection, and playfulness is one of the best ways to cultivate it.
2. Playfulness Reduces Stress
Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship understands that relationships go through periods of stress. Cultivating playfulness helps us navigate that stress more effectively. Laughing together, taking breaks for fun, and injecting lightness into daily interactions prevent negativity from taking over.
I know that if I’m not careful, the scope and scale of climate issues and the urgency of the situation can lead me to overwhelm, negativity and cynicism. Developing a lighter, more playful stance towards our climate work serves as a crucial stress reliever. Whether it’s turning strategy meetings into creative storytelling exercises, incorporating elements of our hobbies into our work, or simply allowing space for a few well placed jokes, can help activists and professionals stay motivated and emotionally resilient.
3. Playfulness Sparks Creativity
It’s not uncommon for long-term relationships to begin to feel stale and monotonous. Yet another reason to inject some playfulness: fun fuels creativity. Couples who embrace playfulness tend to think outside the box and search for new ways, or maybe new riffs on old ways, of moving their relationship forward.
Climate action requires the same kind of creative energy. Traditional approaches often feel rigid and limiting. Moreover, new solutions and ways of thinking are going to be necessary to get us out of the mess we’re in. When teams infuse playfulness into their efforts, new ideas emerge. For instance, I find that I enjoy viewing solar-punk images, no matter how outlandish they seem. After all, it’s the small kernels taken from impossibly green future scenarios that seed today’s inspirational ideas. I’ve also found building metaphorical models using LEGO® to be a playful way to access conversations that feel more authentic and inspired than traditional meeting protocols. When people feel free to experiment without fear of failure, the innovative solutions we need come to life.
By embracing playfulness, we don’t just make climate work more fun—we make it more effective. Just like strong relationships, lasting climate action benefits from creativity, resilience, and a sense of connection. A little lightness can go a long way in keeping us engaged and moving forward.
