Menu
We all instinctively know that medical play can help kids make sense of illness or disease. It might look like a doll getting a central line placed or a stuffed animal being fed through a toy G-tube. It sounds simple enough, but beneath the surface, important work is happening: the child is processing their emotions, building familiarity, reducing fear, and asserting a sense of agency. Play lets them practice the real thing!
Here’s what you might not have considered: medical play is good for adults, too. That same instinct that leads you to buy inclusive toys for your kids (like the amazing products on Butterfly Pig) is probably inspired by your own innate need to process complex emotions through storytelling, art, and yes… even play!
Playful or imagination-based approaches like role-playing, therapeutic rehearsal, or storytelling help people make sense of their experiences and reduce medical anxiety. This is true at any age!
Let’s walk through a few ways that adults (who are really just big kids after all) can use a playful mindset to restore control and dignity in the face of a health challenge.
Writing, art, and storytelling help many adults find meaning in their experiences. By shaping their story through their own words, or just venting on the page, patients can integrate their illness into their identity and share it with others, on their own terms. It’s a powerful way to reclaim control over what can feel like absolute chaos.
A lot of the benefit here relates to the power of a good metaphor. Expressing fear through metaphor allows both kids and adults to externalize what might otherwise feel hard to explain. For kids, this might mean describing chemotherapy as a superhero battle or imagining a feeding tube as a magic straw that gives their body strength. These symbolic narratives help them talk about big emotions in a way that feels safe.
Adults do this too, sometimes without realizing it: likening their medical journey to a storm, a battle, or a journey. These metaphors aren’t just poetic; they turn abstract feelings into something more tangible and within your reach.
Just like kids “rehearse” with dolls, adults benefit from practicing medical tasks before doing them for real. It’s the grownup version of playing pretend! Whether it’s walking through how to set up a feeding tube, rehearsing self-injections, or mentally preparing for a hospital stay, therapeutic rehearsal can really help to reduce anxiety.
This also involves visualization. For example, imagining yourself calmly navigating a procedure doesn’t just prepare the body; it prepares the nervous system. For people living with chronic illness or those recovering from trauma, this can be a powerful way to rebuild trust in their own ability to cope.
Just like kids like to pick the color of their Gus Gear, adults benefit from customizing their devices, tools, and routines. Seriously, don’t underestimate this! Choosing a favorite color, style, or brand aren’t just logistical or aesthetic choices. They’re small acts of agency. Take them!
Rituals matter, too. Just like a kid might want to hear the same story or song over and over again to feel safe, adults can tap into the comfort of building a routine. For example, maybe you like to play the same song during infusions, or light a certain scented candle the night before a procedure. These little acts of imagination and engaging with your senses can provide such a sense of peace.
A good story has the power to make us feel safe. Whether through journaling, visualization, metaphor, or rituals, when we use our imagination, we are seeking comfort and dignity. And we deserve that. It’s good to remember, when the mind feels safe, the body can follow. So no matter your age, play!