Brain Games for Mental Wellness -Fahmida Mehreen
In today’s busy, fast-paced, and stressful world, it is a challenge to make time for ourselves and our well-being. Most of the time, we are heavily occupied getting things done at work, running household errands, looking after our families, and even socializing, which calls for much energy. Amidst all of this, we often neglect the importance of our own wellness, both physically and mentally. Ultimately, we become drained out, and our body and mind stand on the verge of giving up. Adults are not the only ones experiencing this crisis. Most kids today are overwhelmed by academic pressure, juggling long school hours, homework, and extracurricular activities. Their intense focus on grades and competition leaves little time for relaxation or hobbies, leading to stress and burnout. This constant cycle can affect their mental health, making it crucial for parents and schools to promote balance and prioritize their well-being.
But what if I said that there are simple and easy ways to deal with the tension and tiredness and boost mental stamina while having fun? Yes, that is very possible with something as enjoyable as playing games! Most of our anxiety and fatigue derive from physical work as well as from social engagements, which people tend to deal with through relaxing and unwinding. Playing games gives a chance to escape from the elements of reality, explore further into imagination, and activate our brains for a change with diverse experiences.
Now, some people are more inclined to play video games, whereas others enjoy board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Ludo, chess, card games, and many more. Playing video games can offer several benefits beyond entertainment. They enhance cognitive skills like problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and quick decision-making. Video games also help to relieve stress and can improve mental health by offering a fun escape from daily pressures. On the other hand, multiplayer games foster social connections and promote teamwork and communication. Educational games help develop skills like language learning, history, or even coding, while VR games encourage physical activity and coordination. Additionally, gaming inspires creativity through world-building and character customization. When enjoyed in moderation, video games can be a powerful tool for learning, relaxation, and personal development.
On the flipside, while video games offer benefits, they also have some drawbacks. Excessive gaming can lead to physical health issues such as eye strain, poor posture, and a sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of obesity and opens the door to further health deterioration. It can also impact mental health, causing stress, anxiety, or even addiction, where gaming interferes with daily responsibilities. Overuse may harm social relationships by reducing face-to-face interactions and bringing in isolation. Some games expose players to violent or inappropriate content, which potentially influences people’s behavior, particularly in younger audiences. Moreover, prolonged gaming can disrupt sleep patterns and lower academic or professional performance. Balancing playtime with other activities is crucial to avoid these issues, but it is a challenging task that kids and adults fail to work on.
Considering the pros and cons of video games, psychologists across the world discourage regular engagement with them, whereas brain-stimulating games, more precisely the ones that are played manually, are highly encouraged for a diverse range of advantages. Games like jigsaw puzzles, Rubik’s cubes, Sudoku, and crosswords help to inbuild life skills in children that they shall need further in life. These games activate their brain functions to a greater extent, improving their analytical skills and helping them with their academics. They help to improve their cognitive as well as social skills. One of the primary benefits of brain games for children is that they augment memory and a child’s power to recall. This can improve their academic performance by making it easier to remember facts and concepts. The improved memory skills can also be applied to real-life situations, supporting better problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Brain-stimulating games also strengthen concentration in both children and adults, aiding them to keep their focus for a longer period of time. Imagine playing chess for a good number of hours without being distracted! If that habit remains, a person can easily stay on task for a longer period as well. Brain games can enhance children’s self-esteem by providing a sense of achievement and satisfaction when tasks are completed. They also help children to recognize their potential and build confidence in their skills. Mental work games also inspire children to explore their creative potential by devising unique strategies, benefiting academic performance and future careers. These games arouse both brain hemispheres, developing balanced thinking and holistic approaches to dealing with challenges. Additionally, they improve hand-eye coordination through visual tasks, which escalates their abilities in activities like sports or drawing. By engaging multiple cognitive and physical skills, brain games support overall development and prepare children for a varied sphere of challenges.
A very experienced teacher at one of the leading English medium schools in Dhaka initiated and facilitated a brain games and wellness after-school club for the betterment of the children studying at Class 3 and 4 grade levels. She has shared, “It is quite obvious how children these days are taken by the attractions of the digital world and online games—so much so that they are getting detached from nature and instead engage in activities that don’t help much to develop their logical and creative sides. Interacting with my students gave me insight into their habits and overexposure to the digital world. I wanted to give them an experience and opportunity of exploring their thinking and logical side to solve puzzles, express emotions through drawing and colouring, and take outdoor walks to interact with the serene beauty and peacefulness that nature has to offer us.” She has also stated that to welcome diversion from the stress of daily lives, brain games help to exercise an adult’s brain as well.
Besides children, brain games offer significant benefits for adults as well, which are partially similar to those applicable to children. By enhancing memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities while also stimulating mental agility, adults can be hugely advantaged through brain games for their well-being. These play a key role in reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline, keeping the brain sharp and engaged. Such games also help with relaxation and stress relief while offering a fun and constructive mental break. By encouraging logical reasoning, multitasking, and strategic thinking, brain games advance judgement skills. In addition, they boost creativity and adaptability, supporting personal and professional growth. Regularly engaging in brain games contributes to overall mental health and lifelong learning.
A 2015 study involving over 7,000 Alzheimer’s patients found that brain training games were linked to improvements in their reasoning, verbal learning, and the ability to complete daily tasks. The most significant changes were observed in participants who played the games at least five times a week. However, it’s important to note that these studies are limited in scale and cannot be seen as definitive proof that brain training games universally enhance cognitive function. Besides, brain training games are designed to increase reaction times through timed challenges and quick rounds that test speed, attention, and accuracy. While these skills may not always directly translate to actual situations requiring instant physical reactions, they can improve governing efficiency and lift confidence in making faster and more informed choices, which are crucial in adult life.
Reinforcing further, brain training games are crucial for both adults and children, as they are essential in refining cognitive skills like memory, focus, and problem-solving. These games not only cultivate creativity but also promote psychological dexterity. Regular engagement in brain games supports brain health, which in turn helps people be more confident and takes care of lifelong learning and personal growth. So, the next time you are exhausted, anxious, or demotivated, resort to a brain game of your choice—if possible, find a mate to play with—and recharge yourself. As far as children are concerned, parents, families, and teachers should encourage them to try and explore among the many brain games they can play, as it may possibly hold a key to their mental wellness.
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