Does it sometimes feel like your digital devices have taken over your life? Do you go from your smartphone to laptop to tablet to TV to video game console in a never-ending cycle? There’s no question that digital devices serve a purpose, from helping you do your work to providing you with a source of entertainment, but it can also be said that they are overtaking our daily lives. Unplugging from your devices isn’t just a cute idea, it’s important to your mental well-being.
With all that said, we’ve got the perfect substitution. Many have abandoned board games in favor of online or digital games because they also have unique benefits—video games allow you to play with people all over the world, while casinos.com is giving new users $200 in free spins—but board games remain an important part of fellowship. Instead of just suggesting you play board games, we’ve compiled a list of reasons they should always be part of your life.
Board Games Offer Several Cognitive Benefits
Isn’t it cool when you can find a hobby that is both fun and good for you? Now imagine if that hobby also had cognitive benefits. There’s no need to imagine because this is what board games offer. It doesn’t matter which game you choose, when you play a board game, you will be reaping the benefits.
Board games help to sharpen your problem-solving skills, memory, concentration, hand and eye coordination, critical thinking skills, and even your imagination. Ideally, you want to play a variety of games since they require you to use different rules and skills.
They Give You a Chance to Socialize With Friends and Family
The attachment to digital devices, including video games, has caused many people to put in-person socialization on the back burner. When you play a board game with friends or family members, you are creating a social opportunity. You’ll be able to laugh and chat, and sometimes you’ll need to work together in teams, depending on the game.
If you’re the type that sometimes finds socializing difficult, board games can also be an icebreaker activity. You can chat about the game itself, share some laughs, and suddenly you’ll find yourself feeling more comfortable.
Board Games Can Help Lower Anxiety and Stress
According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 19.1% of adults in the U.S. have suffered from an anxiety disorder in the past year. That’s almost one in five adults. The number jumps up to 31% of adults when you ask who has suffered from an anxiety disorder at some point in their life, not just in the past year.
If you’re feeling like you’re alone in suffering from stress and/or anxiety, nothing could be further from the truth. But just because you aren’t alone doesn’t mean you should live with it and not try to address the problem.
According to a 2017 study, playing board games can create a sense of calmness, and people tend to feel less stressed. Some of this can also be credited to the fact that games with friends induce laughter, which is a stress buster. Experts also say that board games can sometimes help to lower blood pressure. When you’re busy playing a game, you’re focused on that activity rather than worrying about other stressors.
Everyone Can Play Board Games, So People Aren’t Left Out
Board games are also incredibly inclusive. Online games and video games can be confusing for some and prompt them to give up. While there are plenty of modern board games that are hard to pick up, the classic board games are classics for a reason. They are easy to follow, and everyone can play them. No one has to feel left out of the fun.
They Teach the Importance of Teamwork
This particular benefit will be especially interesting to parents. Teaching young kids the value of teamwork is important, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Board games provide the perfect opportunity to show them what working together can accomplish. Just be sure to pick a game where you play in teams or pairs.
Some Board Games Are Educational
Speaking of benefits parents will be interested in, there are also plenty of educational board games. Kids will be so busy having a great time that they won’t even see it as a learning opportunity. Board games can help with math, spelling, organizational skills, and pattern building, to name a few. If you’re unsure of where to start, games such as Scrabble Jr, Qwirkle, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, and The Game of Life rarely disappoint.
You Can Find Travel Versions of Many Classic Board Games
Do you have a vacation planned? If so, you’ll want to check out the huge selection of travel-sized board games that can easily fit in a suitcase or carry-on bag. These are perfect for long flights, road trips, and quiet nights in your hotel room. One tip when shopping for the travel-sized versions is to ensure they are magnetized. This means pieces won’t fall off the board and potentially get lost while playing.
Board Games Have Stuck Around for a Reason
There’s a reason that the first board game, a game called The Royal Game of Ur, is believed to have been invented 4,600 years ago. People are always looking for ways to be entertained, connect with others, and challenge themselves, and board games can check off all those boxes. Even if you don’t consider yourself the board game type, there’s no time like the present to give the classics (or newer options) a try. You may find they’re so much fun that they become a regular activity in your life.