If in daily life, in fact, we are continually bombarded by stimuli deriving from TV, social networks and messaging that hammers us every few minutes, during a board game we have the possibility of “freeing the mind”.
In this way, the brain manages to concentrate on one goal, without having to continually change its “focus” due to the multitasking environment that surrounds us.
A 60-minute game, played carefully and without being distracted, will be enough to perceive an increase in concentration in the moments following the game.
Reduction of blood pressure
Playing a game in company with a board game has as a “collateral” effect the lowering of arterial blood pressure. In fact, the release of endorphins helps not only to relax the mind, but also to maintain blood pressure at normal levels.
Stimulation of the immune system
This is of course a passive side effect. It is already known how negative attitude, depression and stress can reduce the body’s ability to have a stable immune system. World Of Warcraft Celebrates Lunar Festival To Pay Respect To The Fallen Ancients, Adds New Toys, Pets And More. Positive feelings and thoughts, such as the laughter and the fun that are accompanied by a good board game, prevent these effects by releasing endorphins that manage to fight stress with great benefit to the immune system .
Slowing down the mental aging process
Cognitive flexibility, attention, working memory and abstract reasoning tend to decrease with age. Many experiments, with older participants, show that more or less strategic play leads to marked improvements in all these skills (Base et al., 2008). A study found that gaming in old age did not only lead to cognitive improvements, but also to better self-esteem, better quality of life perceived by older participants.
For children – Development of critical thinking
Board games are known to force strategies to solve the game. (Obviously this depends on the game). In particular, it has been shown how children develop greater critical sense when they realize that “intelligence” can be trained. (2015 Gwen Dewar, PhD). It is very useful in this sense to make children play a board game by discussing the tactics and strategies they want to put in place and showing them how game after game they become more and more good and capable. In this sense, the presence of an adult with whom to discuss strategies and (and thus training one’s critical thinking in front of an adult), is stimulating and very useful!
For children – Concept of victory and defeat
A study of child psychology (Gobet 2004) has shown how board games, if carried out with adults, speed up the understanding of the concept of victory or defeat in the confusion, always learning to respect other players. In a board game, children quickly learn that victory or defeats are only marginal components, which do not affect the fun of being in company. Furthermore, the mistake can be a moment of growth, in which to understand and improve for the future. On the contrary, many children show that even if they lose, if they have fun, they are ready to resume the “game” by engaging even more.
Piran is the bestselling author of the Zobuz, TheHearus and other well known Blogs. Her books have sold hundred of copies and are published in different languages.
