From increased empathy to improved critical thinking, tabletop board games play a vital role in our neurological and emotional development.
Some of my most cherished memories are of playing board games with friends and family. The mere mention of “pass go, collect Rs.200” brings back memories of building hotels and charging my parents rent when they land on my property. It was a nice change of pace from reality! Had I known that there were real benefits to playing board games, I might have honed my skills a bit more. Now that I’m aware, you’ll see me at whatever game night I can find!
There are so many distractions in the world nowadays, and board games help us live in the moment. Instead of doing something that leaves you forgetting some of your most valuable skills, you should consider something a little more challenging, like a board game. With some practice, you can expect better literacy, numeracy, and socialization, to name just a few of the many benefits.
Who knew games could make you smarter?
When you play board games, you stimulate areas of your brain that help you form memories and carry out different thought processes. Board games require critical thinking and help you practice things like decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Just like you exercise your other muscles to stay in shape, your brain needs to be exercised in order for you to develop and learn.
When you try a new board game, you get exposed to a new set of rules in a new context. You have a chance to gain a new perspective and learn aspects of the game that you can use in real life. Whether your game teaches an old cultural story from centuries ago or focuses on modern geography, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new.
Learning life lessons with tabletop board games
You might not think about learning important life lessons when you’re sitting down to play a game with friends or family, but they exist. If you want to win, you’ll need to be patient and set goals for yourself. I know that I learned a lot about discipline when I look back at the games I played growing up. Even if the game is simple, you’ll always be thinking about the next step, which is something you need to practice in everyday life to find success.
All about empathy
When you learn new things and gain a new perspective, it leads to a greater sense of empathy and understanding. Even if the game itself has nothing to do with a specific person’s background, board games teach a certain amount of patience that we can take into our daily life. When you play board games with others you also have a chance to understand someone else’s behavior in a new way. I don’t know about you, but I think we can all benefit from that!
Connect with your community
Humans are social by nature and having a sense of community is an important part of our survival. Most board games come with a whole community of people interested in them, some fans being more serious than others. Luckily, digital technology makes it easy to find people with similar interests to ours, so even if your close friends and family don’t feel like playing at the same moment as you do, there’s more than likely a forum online discussing topics you’d be interested in.
When you play board games with friends you get to have a sense of inclusion. You are given a purpose for that period of time and don’t have to worry about filling in any blanks or awkward silences. All you need to worry about is how you’re going to play. Not only does this make it easier to focus, but for those who are usually shy, socializing with some sort of structure can give you the confidence you didn’t know you had.
Mind your mental health
Now more than ever, people are taking their mental health more seriously. Sometimes life feels like it’s moving too fast and all we really need to do is slow down for a moment. Tabletop board games are one of my favorite ways to decompress. It’s a perfect moment to spend with friends and family and share a laugh. Just the simple act of laughter and enjoyment will lower your stress levels. Interacting with loved ones in a meaningful way will also improve your relationships and lead to better mental health.
Level up your skills
Depending on the specific game, you’ll get to work on math and language skills. Many games depend on calendars, points, or storytelling. It’s most common that board games have some type of combination of math and language involved in the play. If you have any little ones at home, board games are a great way to introduce new concepts in a fun and engaging way. You’ll be able to harness their attention much easier if there is competition and reward involved.
What is Shastranga?
Aside from being the world’s first modern Indian board game, Shahstranga combines astrology and astronomy, representing over 7500 years of star sequence. It quickly brings the thrill of traveling the night sky to your living room. This highly coveted board game is perfect for a collector with taste. Much like the virtues listed above, Shastranga offers discipline and regimen to regular life. Players will hear memorable stories and learn lessons to last a lifetime. https://youtu.be/D895uqovIZU
While the ideal number of participants is four, you can play this strategy game with two to six players. Full of realistic challenges, this board of 35 playing squares, 27 stars, and 8 temples is sure to take you to another world—right from where you’re sitting.
This beautifully constructed game is highly coveted in India and is a true representation of thoughtful craftsmanship, planning, and tradition. You’ll learn how to survive in the face of adversity and absorb life lessons that you’ll want to pass on for a lifetime.
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The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, tabletop board games should be part of every person’s regular routine. Whether you play something once a month or a few times a week, board games help you exercise parts of your brain that you might otherwise not utilize. In today’s technology-obsessed world, it’s important to take time away from our devices and engage in something different, even if it’s for a short time.