Brain Game
Do board games help with mental health? What are their effects on cognitive functions? How do board games affect the brain? How do they strengthen relationships and contribute to human happiness?
Play is a key component of human growth but adults are not very good at making time for it. This lack can affect the health and sanity of individuals. One type of play that can help in reducing stress as well as provide entertainment is participating in board games. Board games are believed to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. They may also play a role in preventing the onset by increasing brain function of areas that are responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes. This increase in brain function is true for all ages. Engaging in play assists in practicing essential cognitive skills, such as decision making, higher level strategic thinking and problem solving.
In a game, goals are fundamental because they determine what the player has to do to win the game and provides the player with a sense of accomplishment and progression. The very best board games bring together luck and skill in a manner that demands attention, creativity and logic. For you to play better than everyone else, you will first have to learn the rules of the games which exercises the brain, making it stronger.
When playing any kind of board game, you get to learn to win and lose with grace. This tends to make it easier for an individual to handle conflict in a controlled environment. A board game allows people to work together thus sharing in the high of victory. They are also a good way of showing children and adults alike that failure is not only inevitable but also temporary. If you lose, there is always another opportunity to make things right. You will then be able to reduce stress levels while at the same time learning vital negotiation skills.
Each time we interact with one another it builds and strengthens the bond. Board games foster the face-to-face interaction needed to connect deeply with each other and to develop the other traits of strong families and friendships. In an era where face-to-face communication is diminishing, board games require engagement and attentiveness. Loneliness and social isolation are among the major causes of decline in cognitive abilities and the development of long-term health complications. A board game that combines both strategy and fun is a great way of keeping your brain lively and foster connection bonds.
Of course, there’s no point in playing any game if you do not find it enjoyable. So whether you pull out the Trivial Pursuit board, settle in for an hours-long session of Battleship, or blow the cobwebs off Mahjong, make sure you pick a board game that brings you joy. The simple act of having fun can help reduce stress, boost serotonin, relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression and much more.
Here are today’s Wellness Wednesday Program reading resources:
Board games for your health and well-being, McMaster University, December 16, 2020,
How Board Games Can Enhance Your Well-being, Thrive Global, by Nalik Navar,
Your Move: 5 Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Board Games, AIA Vitality, Staff Writer, September 4, 2020,
