Mental Health Benefits of Puzzles & Games

Mental Health Benefits of Puzzles & Games

According to science, improving your mental health could be as easy as child’s play. Puzzles and games, including board games and crosswords, aren’t just made for fun. Studies suggest puzzles and games might have mental health and cognitive benefits as well! Depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation are all common struggles, but there’s good news. Puzzles and games can have a positive impact on almost all of these conditions, helping people manage symptoms and improve their emotional state.

In today’s busy world, all work and no play can lead to stress, and furthermore, negative mental health consequences. Puzzles and games, according to research, could lead to the development of better memory, sharper cognition, and less general stress. Whether you are relaxing with a crossword, challenging yourself with a jigsaw puzzle, or strategizing in a board game, these activities can offer both fun and meaningful mental benefits.

Mental Health Benefits of Puzzles & Games

Here’s what to know about the mental health benefits of puzzles and games on an active mind.

Spatial Awareness

Having good spatial awareness means that you are physically in tune with your surroundings, allowing you to understand and navigate the world around you. Spatial awareness is how we navigate and solve problems of a physical or three-dimensional variety. It’s a practiced skill that is essential for daily activities, and like many skills, it can be practiced and strengthened over time.

Puzzles and games can help improve spatial awareness. This is especially true for games that are played with an environmental aspect (or board) like chess and checkers.

The better you are at board games that require a way around physical obstacles, or planning moves, the better your spatial awareness could be as a result.

Problem-Solving

Puzzles and games present obstacles and then entice us to find our way around these problems using problem-solving skills. Playing games like chess, checkers, wordle, and crosswords, or solving puzzles can help keep your brain active, sharp, and in tune with developing your problem-solving skills.

Even when the obstacles you are trying to solve aren’t on a chess board, your brain builds new connections every time you learn something new about the game in question. Whether you are learning a new game or mastering a familiar one, the continuous mental exercise keeps your mind agile and improves your ability to think critically in everyday situations.

Memory

Games like poker and chess all have one thing in common —they require you to engage your memory, whether it’s remembering the rules of the game, the moves of your opponent, or the strategies you’ve developed. Playing these games on a regular basis has been scientifically proven to improve short-term memory as well as long-term memory.

If you keep forgetting where you put your keys or where to find your phone’s charging cable, it could be a memory issue. Stress, age, and factors like diet can all impact how well your memory works.

Nonetheless, the good news is that playing games on a regular basis can improve your memory considerably. You might even notice that you remember small things more often as you increase your time spent solving crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles.

The Social Aspect

People are social creatures by nature. Even if you aren’t an extrovert, it can still be nice to have some company once in a while. Puzzles and games have a natural social aspect that can both improve your social skills and lighten stress levels, as well as depression and anxiety.

Whether you just speak to forum members about the game or if you interact with them more often, experts say that the social interaction that comes with puzzles and games is actually good for you.

Playing puzzles and games can also improve your social awareness skills. If you aren’t a social butterfly, getting into the gaming and puzzle scene can teach you how to meet people and interact with them through a common interest. As you connect over a common goal or challenge, you’ll not only enjoy the game but also build your confidence in social situations.

The Immune System

According to several university studies on the topic of games, the interaction that comes with puzzles and games can naturally improve the immune system.

As the body comes into contact with more people on a regular basis, it learns a natural immunity against the most common infections and illnesses. These social interactions can increase the body’s ability to fight off germs, all while improving mental health and reducing stress levels.

Worried about your immune system? Attend game night or a tournament more often. Experts say that it’s good for you, too. So, next time you’re invited to a game night, know that it’s not just fun—it’s good for you, too.

Reduced Risk of Mental Health Conditions

There’s significant proof out there that shows mental health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from a busy and active mind.

If you are able to form constant neural connections through puzzles, games, and problem-solving, then you are at a significantly reduced risk of developing dementia (or any conditions related to it) later on in life.

Games like bridge, poker, and chess all contribute to a busy mind. Daily crosswords can also improve your vocabulary. It turns out that playing Scrabble can actually teach your brain a thing or two.

Who said games and puzzles were pointless?

Puzzles and Games to Improve Mental Health

Puzzles and games encompass a rich variety of activities, each offering unique cognitive challenges and mental benefits. These activities can be enjoyable, but they also provide valuable opportunities for strengthening your brain:

  • Jigsaw Puzzles: Engage visual-spatial skills and promote problem-solving, providing a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
  • Crossword Puzzles: Challenge vocabulary, general knowledge, and linguistic skills, improving verbal fluency and memory retention.
  • Sudoku: Exercise logical reasoning and numerical problem-solving skills, fostering concentration and mental agility.
    Board Games: Offer strategic challenges that enhance planning, decision-making, and spatial awareness, while also promoting social interaction and emotional intelligence.
  • Video Games: Certain types can improve spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and reaction times, offering cognitive benefits when approached mindfully.
  • Logic and Puzzle Games: Stimulate deductive reasoning and critical thinking, providing mental exercise and entertainment.

Exploring these diverse options allows individuals to find engaging activities that not only entertain but also sharpen cognitive abilities, promote mental well-being, and foster lifelong learning. Whether piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, mastering a strategic board game, or solving logic puzzles, the mental challenges presented by puzzles and games offer countless opportunities for growth, exploration, and enjoyment.

Helpful Information: 10 Games and Puzzles to Exercise Your Brain

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I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to discuss gambling addiction services in Omaha today.