4 Ways Table Top Games Can Improve Your Health

Board games have been enjoyed by kids and adults for generations. Over the years, you may not have realized that there are benefits to playing table top games. In fact, there's evidence that suggests playing board games can help build friendships, strengthen critical thinking skills, encourage creativity and regulate screen time. To understand how board games impact you, take a look at the 4 ways they might improve your health. 

1. Form Social Bonds 

Games have a way of bringing people together. They can inspire camaraderie and sportsmanship. What kind of benefits can forming social bonds provide? Studies show that forming strong social bonds early on can help people avoid bad relationships later in life. As children, people learn social skills that can define their relationships and impact who they build bonds with. Therefore, families that play board games like Rise of Tribes game could encourage relationships that include teamwork and trust.

2. Improve Critical Thinking

Playing games has been proven to enhance critical thinking skills. Everything from learning the rules of play to strategizing gameplay moves can improve critical thinking skills in people of all ages. However, what can improving your critical thinking do for your health? Better decision making can lead to making better choices in your career and personal life. Engaging critical thinking skills is one of the best ways to improve them, and many board games can provide the mental gymnastics needed to strengthen those skills.

3. Stimulate Creativity

Being creative has a lot of health benefits, including increased happiness and immunity. Table top games ask players to do a lot of different things that foster creativity. Some may want players to draw pictures, act something out or build new civilizations. All of these activities require players to think outside the box. Playing board games that allow people to be imaginative brings back memories of childhood play, which is shown to boost feel-good chemicals like dopamine. The next time you need some cheering up, think about inviting friends over to play a board game.

4. Regulate Screen Time

Screen time refers to how much time you spend looking at your phone, the TV or computer. While video games provide some of the aforementioned benefits, they don't offer any break from time spent staring at screens. Taking breaks from looking at screens can help maintain vision health. Playing a board game is a fun way to get the break you need from focusing on the digital world. Plus, you may form social bonds more effectively than if you play a video game online with your friends. 

Gaming for Improved Health

Find out which games have elements that can provide these benefits to really get the most out of your table top gameplay experience. Certain games may help build social bonds, while others might be better suited for improving critical thinking. Thankfully, nearly all board games help regulate screen time. The next time you're looking for a way to improve your health and have fun, reach for your favorite board game.