More than half of parents in the UAE believe the growing culture of tracking and optimising daily life is increasing anxiety rather than improving wellbeing, according to new research released by Nord Anglia Education.
The findings come from the “Permission to Play Report”, which surveyed more than 500 UAE parents and gathered insights from education experts on play, wellbeing and modern lifestyles.
Survey findings
The report found that 53% of parents believe constant tracking and optimisation of activities is making people more anxious, while only 8% think it makes them happier.
Although 91% of respondents said play and enjoyment are important for adult wellbeing, more than half admitted feeling guilty about spending time on activities that do not produce measurable results.
The study comes amid growing discussions around “optimisation culture”, driven by wellness apps, productivity tools and self-improvement content.
Expert views
Elizabeth Lamb, Regional Managing Director – Middle East, Nord Anglia Education, said: “Play is an integral part of a balanced, healthy society. But somewhere along the way, adults have forgotten that.
“Children rarely need permission to play, but many adults feel they need permission to stop. Our research shows that while we understand the value of play, modern life has made it increasingly difficult to prioritise.
“In a culture that celebrates productivity and optimisation, play can often feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. Yet the evidence is clear: play is not time wasted. It is essential to our wellbeing, relationships, creativity, and resilience.”
Dr Ruba Tabari, Consultant Educational Psychologist, said: “We seem to live in an age where the pressure to optimise every aspect of life has become almost unavoidable. But there is an irony in trying to achieve wellbeing through constant measurement.
“By becoming so dependent on external indicators, we may gradually lose touch with our inner sense of direction. Intuition, presence, and the ability to trust our own experiences are difficult to quantify, yet they are central to understanding ourselves.
“As we grow older, playfulness often fades because it can seem trivial or unproductive. Yet those carefree moments can help us relax, strengthen our relationships and bring us joy. In our efforts to extend life, we may sometimes lose sight of how to enjoy it.”
Play campaign
The report follows Nord Anglia Education’s “Permission to Play” campaign, launched during the International Day of Play. As part of the initiative, students wrote permission slips encouraging parents to spend time with family, switch off from daily pressures and engage in play.
Learning benefits
Kathryn Kelly, Assistant Head – PYP Coordinator at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, said: “In a culture increasingly driven by optimisation and measurable outcomes, play reminds us that curiosity, wellbeing, creativity, and human connection are not distractions from success, they are foundations for it.
“One of the greatest misconceptions about play is that it sits outside of learning. In reality, play is how children learn best. It’s through play that children build relationships, develop confidence, practise communication, solve problems, and learn to navigate challenges.
“As educators, we see every day that children do not separate play from learning, creativity from achievement, or enjoyment from growth. Play is a vehicle for deep learning rather than something separate from it. Perhaps there is something adults can learn from that.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
