When we talk about playing games, it’s natural to think about the children in our lives or go back in time and reminisce about our childhoods. Play is associated with being young and carefree, but it shouldn’t be restricted to kids. There are amazing benefits to playing games for all ages. In this guide, we’ll explore the advantages for adults.

Building social connections

One of the main reasons why parents encourage their kids to play is to learn how to interact with others, communicate and enjoy the company of children and adults. As you grow older, there are different ways to connect, for example, through college, work, social media, and parent groups. We often find that we meet lots of people, but it can be difficult to strike up meaningful, long-lasting relationships. In the digital age, it can be tougher to make friends.

Having a hobby is an excellent way to build social connections and benefit from being around or engaging with other people who have shared interests. Whether you’re a video games aficionado, you live for traditional board games, or you’re the first to get a deck of cards out at gatherings, there are endless games to choose from. Games bring people together, they’re fun and they cater to all ages, making them ideal for couples, families, and large groups of friends or colleagues. Online games also provide great options for solo players. If you want to play, but you don’t have an opponent, you can take on the computer or challenge another player in a different city, state or country. You can also join forums and groups to strike up virtual friendships.

Testing your brainpower

Most of us automatically associate playing with having fun, but it also provides excellent learning opportunities. Play is the first teaching method parents use to guide children and encourage them to learn new things and support growth and development. As an adult, you can still learn through activities that bring fun and joy to your life. Many games are specifically designed to test your brainpower, help you develop new skills and encourage strategic thinking and problem-solving. From chess, backgammon and interactive quizzes to video games that revolve around creating new civilizations or conquering enemies, there are myriad ways to flex your gray matter and give your brain a workout. A study published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests that playing video games regularly enhances cognitive functions, including memory and maintaining focus.

Learning new skills

Learning is a continuous process. Although many people finish formal education after school or college, adulthood should offer opportunities to develop new skills, hone existing skills and expand your knowledge base. There are many ways to learn when you’re an adult, including online and postgraduate courses, workshops, training, professional development and on-the-job learning, but you can also broaden your skill set outside of work. Playing games is a fantastic way to sharpen your mind and carry on learning. Whether you play new games or you make it your mission to improve performance levels in games you love, you’ll get better the more you play.

Playing Games Is Not Just For Kids: Brilliant Benefits For Adults