Play More Games! Feel Better!

Board Games have seen a huge resurgence in recent years as more people have discovered games that are outside the boundaries of the old classics like Monopoly, Sorry, and Trouble. Cooperative games with strategic themes like “Pandemic” and the rise of “Eurogames” that introduce gentle themes like farming and landscape-building like “Catan” are largely responsible for the rise of board games into the main stream consciousness.

But did you know Board Games have a ton of real world benefits?

Social – Board games are proven to improve social skills in ways that digital games do not. They teach important skills like turn taking, communication, collaboration and coping with losing. For school age kids it teaches them the tools they need to properly respond in social situations both inside and outside of the home. For adults sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, and trust. Games can help break the ice with strangers, make new friends and even form business relationships.

Development – The choices and strategy that board games offer help develop memory formation and cognitive skills like problem solving, logic, reasoning and critical thinking. For kids playing games at an early age can help with reading and math skills as well as comprehension. Since games usually take at least 30 minutes and often much longer they help improve attention span, a much needed skill in our fast paced internet world.

Health benefits:  Research has shown that the regular play of board games has many mental and physical health benefits! Playing can be a particularly relevant way to preserve cognition and to prevent cognitive decline or dementia. An online survey showed that a large number of people play board games as a way to unwind, relax and relief stress. Play can also help avoid depression and the laughter that often comes with playing causes a release of endorphins that can lower and maintain blood pressure!

With all these wonderful benefits why would you not play board games!

Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming board game events or drop in and play one of our many demo games in our play space!

Chris Duffield