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Your game choice may have many more implications on your mental and cognitive health than you think! So, does this mean that you have to abandon your favorite games for the sake of health? Not! Some games strike the perfect balance between providing entertainment and helping you refine your cognitive skills.
In this quick-start guide, we’ll look at a few games and entertainment options that offer many more benefits than just being fun! Let’s get started.
Chess
We couldn’t certainly start without talking about chess! This is an ancient game that continues to fascinate and captivate players worldwide. Here’s a recap: chess is a classic strategy game for two players. Each participant controls 16 pieces that move on a checkerboard. The objective is to checkmate the opponent’s king.
Each piece moves differently, and you’ll be asked to start thinking several moves ahead, strategize, and adapt quickly to the tactics of your opponents. This can be a fantastic mental exercise that, over time, can boost memory, problem-solving skills, concentration, and strategic thinking. All of these skills are certainly useful in the game of chess, but they are even more so in real life.
If you are just getting started with chess and you lack an opponent, online platforms can help you customize your games and practice your abilities.
Online Games
Did you know that playing games online can actually be good for you? Gaming can boost your eye-hand coordination and develop your problem-solving skills. Plus, depending on the game you play, you will be able to develop specific capabilities. For example, resource management ways can help you better understand how to allocate resources, while shooting games can help you improve your reflexes’ speed. Lastling, escape rooms are an excellent option to improve your detective and observation skills and put your logic abilities to the test.
Geocaching
Simply put, geocaching is a global treasure hunt using GPS devices. Participants search for hidden containers, which are also called “caches,” using coordinates and clues.
This activity offers a cascade of benefits! Firstly, it encourages exploration and it may even encourage you to spend more time outdoors. Additionally, in this game, you’ll have to refine your map reading skills and develop your spatial reasoning. Plus, you may be asked to resolve related puzzles, which enhance cognitive skills!
Spades
Spades is a trick-taking card game usually played by four players, who are organized in partnerships or couples. The objective is to bid on and win a certain number of tricks during each round.
This game requires players to develop a wide range of skills, including strategic planning and correctly assessing probability. And, of course, communication between the players in each team!
Sudoku
Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle where players are required to fill a 9×9 grid with digits. Sounds easy right? But there’s a catch. When arranging the numbers, you’ll have to ensure that each column, row, and 3×3 subsection contains all numbers from 1 to 9.
According to research, solving Sudoku puzzles regularly can improve memory, attention to detail, and decision-making abilities. It is a great way to engage the brain in new challenges!
Scrabble
Scrabble is a word game where players score points by creating words on a board using lettered tiles. If you have been wanting to expand your vocabulary, this may be a fun and science-backed way to do it.
There is even more to it. When playing scrabble, you’ll have to come up with a solid strategy to maximize scores by placing letters on high-value squares while blocking opponents’ moves. This can also help you develop your strategic thinking skills!
Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles are some of the best-known games worldwide. They involve filling grids with words that you’ll have to guess, based on given clues. The words are then connected to one another, across and down.
As you may have guessed, the biggest benefit of these puzzles is that they help boost vocabulary. However, they also enhance verbal reasoning and improve memory. After all, the clues can be many and varied, and you’ll have to recall information from a range of niches, from pop culture to science!
Memory Matching Games
Memory matching games, often called Concentration or Pairs, have simple rules that allow everyone to join in the fun. All you need to do is flipping over cards to find matching pairs.
These games are excellent to put your memory skills to the test, as you’ll have to remember the locations and identities of the cards.
Playing these games on a regular basis can do wonders for brain function like memory, attention, concentration, and visual recognition!
