Are you a fan of gaming online? Do you enjoy pitting yourself against the the deck and playing card games or logical games? You might think that online card games or other solo logic games are only played for their entertainment value, but would it surprise you to know that games online are great for your mental and emotional health.
I love to unwind with a game of Pyramid Solitaire or Mahjong, and I will often hop online to my favourite free game site Solitaire.org in the evenings and do a little word search or 2. For me I want to relax at the end of a busy day, and find that the repetition of these games helps calm my mind. Having to focus and think logically takes my mind off the stresses of my day and gives my mind something else to think about just for a few minutes.
Plus did you know there are lots of games that pay real money out there too? You can earn money, vouchers and prizes playing paying games on a number of apps. So not only can you have a little chill time you could be putting a few pennies in the bank. The ones I play usually pay in amazon vouchers, which are always useful! Who doesn’t use amazon these days?
Proven Research
Research done by Professor Regan Mandryk at the University of Saskatchewan has proven that online gaming can have a whole host of emotional, mental and social benefits. She found that different types of games provide different benefits.
For instance games which allow you to play cooperatively with others towards a shared goal can help improve social skills and interpersonal communications. This has been especially beneficial during periods of self isolation over the last 18 months.
Action and fantasy games which involve other worlds can allow you to escape psychologically, and have a little bit of psychological detachment from what’s going on around you. This can help reduce stress levels and calm your mind.
The Health Benefits of Playing Card Games Online
Although card games tend to be played solo, and against the deck or computer it is surprising the number of benefits there is linked to them. So here is a look at why playing card games online is good for your health
- Allowing your mind to relax and unwind – Just like many find sitting down in front of the TV in the evening is how they like to relax after a day in work, playing card games online also works. It gets your mind off the day to day stuff and calms it down from all the busy thinking
- Develops focus, patience and logical thinking – Card games often involve players having to concentrate and focus for long periods of time. You have to think strategically and sometimes steps ahead of where you are.
- Learning to cope with losing – Losing is a part of life, simple as that. And often in card games no matter how skilled you are you cannot beat the deck.
- Memory Building Skills – Quite often card games entail remembering multiple rules and some element of card memorisation. This helps build memory skills which are needed in everyday life
- Keeps the mind sharp – We’ve all seen the ads for brain training games, well card games online are just that. Research has proven that keeping the mind active with logical thinking can help individuals stay mentally sharp in old age
- Helps boost your mood – Online card games can lower your cortisol levels, one of the stress-related hormones, and effectively make you happier
My 2 favourite new word games are Wordle and Quordle, new this year (2022).