Play is often dismissed as something frivolous or unproductive, but during International Creativity Month, professional hypnotist Jesse Lewis says play is one of the most important cognitive skills humans have.
“Play isn’t the opposite of focus,” Lewis explains. “It’s one of the fastest ways to access it.”
Lewis says hypnosis relies on the same mental flexibility that play encourages. When people play, they explore ideas without rigid rules, allowing attention to move freely and creatively. That openness makes learning, problem-solving, and responsiveness easier.
“Play lowers the cost of being wrong,” Lewis says. “When the brain isn’t afraid of mistakes, it stays engaged.”
As creativity and innovation are highlighted this month, Lewis notes that play is often the missing ingredient in adult focus. Structured tasks demand control, but play allows attention to experiment, which strengthens cognitive adaptability.
“Children learn through play because it keeps attention alive,” Lewis explains. “Adults don’t lose that ability. They just stop using it.”
Having spent more than two decades performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada, Lewis says play is central to effective performance and engagement. “On stage, playfulness keeps attention fluid,” he says. “That’s when people respond most naturally.”
By reframing play as a cognitive tool rather than a distraction, Lewis believes people can better understand creativity, learning, and hypnosis. “Play trains the mind to stay flexible,” he says. “That flexibility is a serious skill.”
Pull Quote:
“Play keeps attention flexible, and flexible attention learns faster.”
About the Expert
Jesse Lewis is a professional stage hypnotist with over 20 years of experience performing live comedy hypnosis shows across Canada. His work focuses on attention, audience engagement, and the psychology of suggestion.
Website: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com
Media Kit: https://hypnotistjesselewis.com/media-kit/
Media Contact
Jesse Lewis
Professional Hypnotist & Commentator
Email: jesselewishypnosis@gmail.com