On Friday, February 28, the Psychology Club/Psi Beta Honor Society hosted Flourish Friday, a series focused on personal well-being. During this time, we learned about the benefits of playing board games.
Perry Chen (Personal Counseling), with assistance from Asra Ziauddin (Student Equity and Support Programs), shared several ways board games can enrich our lives. While playing games is often thought of as just “having fun,” there are several domains that are involved and positively affected:
- Cognitive domain: Games can help develop critical thinking, strategizing, memory, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, research indicates they may slow cognitive decline. These skills also relate to the Skyline College ISLO of Critical and Creative Thinking.
- Emotional domain: Studies have found that playing games can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Social domain: Playing games provides opportunities for teamwork, perspective-taking, and positive social interactions. These skills also relate to the Skyline College ISLO’s of Effective Communication, and Community Engagement.
After learning about the benefits, we experienced them by playing games, including Scattergories, Exploding Kittens, and Blokus. It was a great way to spend a Friday afternoon, with lots of laughter and community.
Photo credit: Jorge Avalo
