Adults have a whole plethora of hobbies to explore after retirement as they have plenty of free time to enjoy. Board games are quite popular among aging adults especially chess, which is one of the most popular board games in the world. Even though you may not get physical strength and fitness from it, playing chess as a hobby can help to improve your mental health as an adult. The interaction you make with the opponent can help to improve communication and social well-being.
Contrary to popular belief that chess is a board game only for intellectually gifted individuals, anyone of any age group can benefit from playing it. Keep reading to find out how chess can help to improve your mind and heart health.
It Helps to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Playing games is one of the most effective fun ways to relieve stress and tension as it serves as a distraction from the cause of stress or anxiety. Chess is an engaging game that requires you to focus; that way, you won’t think about your problems too much. Residents of a retirement community often enjoy chess tournaments in their community as part of the exclusive programs. Even if you are not in a retirement living community, you can play chess with your loved ones.
It Serves as a Stimulating Activity for the Mind
Playing a brain-stimulating game like chess regularly can help older adults to activate their brain cells. Chess is a game that requires critical thinking, which makes aging adults engage their brains and mind to make a move against the opponent. Playing chess is like gymnastics for the brain and can help to boost your whole system.
It Boosts Critical and Analytical Thinking Skills
Chess can help to keep an adult’s brain sharp as it encourages them to think critically with logical analytics to help them make every move during the game. It requires a lot of brain power and this can help to exercise the brain, helping an adult to develop better problem-solving skills. Playing chess as a hobby can help aging adults become more creative when it comes to identifying a strategy amongst several to beat the opponent.
It Gives a Great Social Experience
Chess is no fun when you play it on your own as it is designed to be played by two people. This gives room for socialization between you and the opponent. Learning to play chess or teaching it to your friends is a great way of bonding and spending quality time with them. Participating in a chess tournament in your retirement community will give you the chance to meet and interact with other people in the community, which is a great way to make new friends and companions.
It May Curb Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
As adults age, they tend to experience a reduction in brain activity levels and function, which may lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Asides from being physically fit, aging adults also need to keep their minds fit and healthy as well. Chess is a game that can help to improve cognition and tackles age-related cognitive issues as it exercises the brain. The game challenges you to think and take new approaches and that keeps you learning and improving as often as you play it.
