Overview
Every child learns through play. We use games to feed our imaginations and pass so many hours of fun. But this doesn’t have to stop when we become adults. To be honest, the older we get, the more we realize the benefits of playing board games regularly.
Playing games as adults helps to sharpen our imaginations and improves our interactions with our environment. And of course, no one really expects you to run around the house (unless you want to) as you relive your childhood. All you need to do is to see the benefits of playing board games regularly as you indulge in them.
Although board games are so much fun and you can play them as a social activity with family and friends, there’s a wide variety of solo board games that can challenge you. Actually, apart from providing countless hours of enjoyment, there are lots of other benefits of playing board games regularly. Allow me to show you.
1. Board games make you smart
Yes, we all know what they about reading making you smarter, but the same thing goes for a simple round of your favorite board game. When you play games, you’re challenging your brain to be more creative. This is especially true when you’re solving puzzles and memorizing movements; they have to stretch your imagination, thus making you more intelligent.
Get ready for some big words! As you play a board game, you’re stimulating the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex parts of your brain. They are responsible for memory formation and complex thoughts. So while you are enjoying and entertaining yourself through a fun activity, you’ll also be making yourself smarter and more creative.
2. They help you take a load off
Although Netflix might give you that chill factor when you spend with your loved ones over a simple and competitive game, you’re helping yourself to unwind better, de-stress, and also feel happier.
All kinds of board games have the tendency to relieve stress and get the laughter rolling. And, of course, with laughter comes a surge of endorphins. These are the chemicals that make our brains and bodies feel happy and fulfilled. Also, as these natural chemicals make us feel great, they revitalize our brains, leaving us rejuvenated and prepped for another challenging day.
And as you laugh with people, you develop more social intelligence and empathy, things that are essential to building lasting relationships with people.
3. An interactive game can strengthen relationships
There’s probably no better way to build stronger bonds of relationships with your partner, family, and friends than getting to know them through a casual game that requires social interactions and cooperation.
As you do this, you don’t just spend time with each other (which is super important in relationships); you’re also sharing a common goal while getting to know each other.
For couples, board games are a great and romantic way to build a connection and form relationships. Imagine an evening of red roses, crisp wine, and a simple game that tickles the senses.
4. They help you to work on your self-confidence
As you play games, you unconsciously put yourself out there. This encourages you to be more outgoing and play an active role in the current game. Although this might look like a challenging task to some people, the general light-heartedness and liveliness that comes with a board game are enough to make you lighten up as you calm down and socialize with gusto.
When we play games with the people we are comfortable with, it helps to develop a stronger sense of identity and awareness in us. Through this, you’ll have greater self-esteem and a feeling that you’re included and noticed by all.
5. Playing games sharpens your reflexes
Some rounds of 30 Seconds will not only increase your mental speed and your intelligence when it comes to general knowledge, but with strategy games like monopoly and chess, you’ll also have quick reflexes when you see yourself in similar situations in real life.
It’s all about logic and sharp thinking. You can develop these characteristics by playing some rounds of your favorite board games as you also have fun for hours.
6. They help you to be patient
One of the most important benefits of playing board games regularly is that you learn how to be more patient. When you wait for your turn or spend hours completing a task, you’re also teaching yourself self-control without being aware of it.
It takes a lot of thought, strategy, and patience to win. When you practice these three things in a comfortable space where you are not stressed, and there’s a sense of adventure, then you’ll see the benefits of playing board games regularly for both kids and adults. After all, patience is the key, isn’t it?
7. Board games teach life skills
Alright, I’ve talked about how board games teach you how to be more patient, but they also can help you develop so many other essential life skills. Board games teach you the importance of sharing and waiting for your turn, they encourage honesty and equality, and they also promote a sense of unity and compassion when you play and work to achieve a common goal.
When you think about it, board games are more than just toys that are made to help you cope with the stress of your everyday life. Basically they can help you to cope with these stressful situations as we go through days of work, school, and even socializing—all of which need us to have the necessary life skills and a good understanding of human beings.
8. They help to keep us sane
Lastly, when you play board games regularly, you’re better composed, and you will have a better mental health than most people. One of the main benefits of playing board games regularly is that they have the ability to lower your risk of losing your cognitive ability.
A decline in cognitive ability can lead to mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. But when you regularly play games, your mind will be sharp and active, and your cognitive skills will be in top shape. This will possibly prevent you from developing mental diseases as you get older.
Summary
You can never be too old to engage in fun and playful activities. This is because, without play, life wouldn’t be much fun. However, apart from bringing laughter and joy, there are so many other benefits of playing board games regularly.
Therefore, these games are not something you play on special occasions. If you want to have the best results with board games, they should be a constant part of your weekly routine and one of your favorite pastimes.