Why I love games and how it improves my mental health - By Julie Green
Games are not just for kids! Although they are still a great way to promote your child’s wellbeing, as well as your own.
We play as children throughout our development, so why, as we grow up, do we stop having all the fun and games? Life becomes busy, stressful and we have excessive responsibilities. So sometimes, we forget what it is or what it’s like to just let go a little. BUT the importance of taking time for ourselves, is one of the main ways to keep our mental health on track! Fortunately for us, the development of games were introduced to help people reduce stress. Wellbeing First let’s talk about wellbeing.
“Play is a key component of human growth, but adults are not that good when it comes to making time for it”
— NAYAR, MALIK
One of the most widely used wellbeing framework’s is the ‘five ways to wellbeing’. It promotes personal as well as psychological wellbeing.
The big 5 are:
Connect emphasises the importance of social relationships. Connecting with others supports social life and protects against mental illness.
Be active emphasises the importance of activity. Regular exercise is linked to greater wellbeing and also increases self-efficacy and sense of mastery.
Take notice emphasises the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness. Being aware of personal emotions and sensations as well as reflecting on experiences are related to wellbeing.
Keep learning emphasises the importance of learning and achieving. Learning enhances self-esteem, self-efficacy, and more activity in general
Give emphasises the role of doing something nice for others. Selfless and meaningful behaviours, such as caring for others, promote wellbeing
The benefit of using games for wellbeing is that it can cover all 5 of these pathways, often at the same time! Socialising combats feeling of loneliness, (which as single parent’s is one of the biggest factors that affect our wellbeing) by fitting in some social time and connecting with someone helps overcome those feelings, and what better way to do it by fitting in some fun?
Making new friends also helps build connections and emotional wellbeing, including feeling involved. Playing games keeps your mind active. It also can help with physical wellbeing too turning exercise into fun! Whether physical or mental, games produce feel good hormones, relieves stress, and promotes healing. The concentration level required for playing games often forces you to take notice of what’s going on in front of you, which is another way to practice mindfulness.
Playing games enhances feelings of accomplishment and success which are important factors in building self-esteem. You are continuously learning and adapting by stimulating the mind, this also increases memory, reflexes, coordination, decision making and boosts creativity!
Games can give people the feeling of care and compassion, taking time to spend with people helps improve relationships, enhance cooperation and increase bonding. Not forgetting games also make great gifts!
My life of games I love trying to incorporate games into everyday life, it helps me overcome my battles with mental illness. By giving myself some fun and laughter, I’m much happier with the world around me.
Did you know game design elements are already incorporated into everyday life for most people? Including parenting and businesses, things like rewards, leader boards, and even avatars, all started with game play. Companies often use the word gamification to explain the use of game elements that are used to improve behaviour and engagement. Try it on your kids and see if turning things into a game creates a positive change.
I’ve found that playing games with my son has given us more bonding time, to just enjoy each other and a chance to escape the day to day stresses.
Games in general, have been shown to have positive effects on wellbeing, motivation, personal growth, stress, anxiety, relaxation, and concentration. It generates positive experiences and emotions including the basic psychological need of satisfaction. As a child I grew up in a pub, my parents were landlords and I remember how much games were involved in pub life and how much I loved it! I used to help read out pub quiz questions, I would pull up a chair and watch the men playing cards, we would even have regular children’s games, celebrating seasonal events like easter, Christmas etc. Musical Chairs was a firm favourite of mine! Having siblings definitely reinforced my love of games, hide and seek, den building and I even remember when the first Sega came out ha! We all bonded through games and it became a community of fun, including with the neighbour’s kids!
When my parents separated, playing card games with my dad was a familiar routine that me, my brother and sister relished in and we’ve continued this with my son now.
We don’t often go anywhere without a pack of cards in my bag, to play go fish, 21 or even snap on the go. Me and my siblings are still quiz lovers, we’re especially good at a nostalgic harry potter quiz! Another childhood bonding experience! And not forgetting family get togethers, especially at Christmas were all sorts of fun and games appear! So games have my constant go to throughout life, my pick me up’s, my bonding and my wellbeing.
I’ve gone through phases like everyone were I forget to enjoy myself, but games are a quick easy way to shake off the stress. They can be 2 minutes or 2 hours; indoor and outdoor, online and offline; simple or complicated; in company or individually; with adults or children or both! The possibilities are endless! Now with the pandemic affective all of our lives, Zoom has become a great facilitator, not only for work but for staying in touch with friends and family too.
Here as some links with zoom game suggestions to enjoy:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g32098665/best-games-to-play-on-zoom/ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a32775193/best-zoom-games/
https://www.marieclaire.com/home/a32268495/games-to-play-on-zoom/
Check out these links to articles with more information on the benefits of play:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-board-games-can-enhance-your-well-being/
https://thelinksfoundation.com/board-games-are-not-just-for-kids/
We all know how tough it can be as a Single Parent and the Covid pandemic hasn’t made things any easier for us. So, knowing the significance that games can have on the wellbeing of everyone, We’ll be starting a regular games night for us to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.
We can hold Child sessions, adult sessions, teenage sessions and family sessions. During lockdown we will be online, easy to access and available anywhere! In the future and following government guidelines we can expand these sessions to local borough’s, whether indoor or outdoor. Look out for our latest events! We can get through this together with Fun and Games, and Love and Laughter. Single Parents Wellbeing are here for you!
Get in touch for more information. Let us know in the comments your favourite games.