Roll The Dice For Recovery

Research shows that playing stimulates brain areas responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes in people of all ages. Playing board games is an entertaining way to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Also, interactive play

sessions facilitate emotional expression, physical and mental exercise. Game sessions are a non-threatening activity that develops rapport and trust between the client and

the therapist.

Gaming On!

Vin Diesel has played Dungeons and Dragons with friends for four decades. He also wrote the foreword for 30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons. This board game enhanced his imagination and helped in his career as an actor. World’s best football player, Cristiano Ronaldo, stated in several interviews that playing chess sharpens his decision-making and strategic awareness. It’s a mental exercise to complement his physical training.

Antoine Griezmann, a former FC Barcelona player, prefers board games to relax. Griezmann has shared on social media how playing chess helps him unwind and focus his mind. Actress Drew Barrymore loves to play with her daughters' games like Life, Operation, and Chutes. She has mentioned on social media that game nights are a favourite family activity.

Unplug & Outplay

Today, game developers are designing special games for entertainment, with a focus on various benefits. Such games lend themselves well to therapeutic goals. Namrata Jain, Psychotherapist Relationship Expert, says, “The use of specialised board games is innovative. These games are designed with specific psychological goals, such as communication skills, empathy or emotional regulation.” They help make therapy more accessible and less intimidating, especially for clients who struggle to articulate feelings directly. She adds, “There are times when reflection or concepts are easier through games or activities than an educational approach. Also, the process of narrating memories and emotions through the games is cathartic. It offers a safe, creative space to process loss and gradually regain emotional balance.”

Playtime Folks!

A good game session is a mood and brain-booster. Play is a powerful tool in therapy. It helps break down barriers, build rapport and trust and encourages self-expression. “Games help lower defences that allow clients to explore suppressed emotions. Activities can reveal relational dynamics, patterns and emotions that talk therapy sometimes might miss out on - making sessions both engaging and deeply insightful. Games can also make therapy an easy, ongoing journey rather than an intense one,” adds Namrata.

Every Move Counts

Games in families help with intergenerational communication, perspective-taking and co-regulation. “Board games enhance family bonding and improve family interaction. Among children, we have noticed enhanced personality and confidence (especially introverted kids). Those with psychological issues, or undergoing treatment for ADHD, or Autism, have also shown improvements in their confidence and performance,” says Mital Salia, a game therapist and psychologist from Mumbai who uses games for psychological and neurological development for all ages. Founder of Khel Khel Mein, she also conducts game workshops for skill development, stress management, and cognitive health.

Make Your Mark

Board games can be instrumental in facilitating learning, de-stressing and healing. “Board game Therapy is going to be the next big revolution in the learning and healing space, with the rising use of AI, independent families, and high stress,” states Mital, who has 500 games, and she uses multiple games, from single-player to multiple-player games, for different purposes.

Splendour teaches strategy, planning skills, analytical skills and helps to de-stress. It is more like a simulation to teach finance planning and the power of savings. “'Treasure Hunter' is about decision-making skills and risk tolerance (an important contributor to stress). It also enhances multitasking ability and allows multiple paths to victory, thus helping deal with guilt and blame. The majority of such games teach how to deal with failure. Learning important life skills, which are often missed in our education system, helps one deal with failure and thus reduces the emotional reasons of stress, depression, etc,” adds Mital.

Women during the perimenopause or undergoing high stress have seen an impact on their mental health and ability to de-stress, along with venting out mechanisms through games. Shital Kothari (51), a Mumbai-based business professional and a mother of two children, participated in a Board Game therapy program for women by therapist Mital Salia. “It was a once-a-month session of 3 hour for a year. It helped me to cope with the mood swings of early menopause. Playing board games motivated me to learn new things; it's a stress buster. The board games workshops helped my kids too, in developing strategies, concentration, logical thinking, memory sharpening, as well as relaxation”

Roll, Play, Rehab

Board games act as therapeutic tools that combine Physical rehabilitation, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Board games enhance problem-solving as a player has to plan moves and make decisions. Board games stimulate the brain in ways that can support recovery from neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis. Repeated cognitive challenges aid recovery. Moving pieces, rolling dice, or shuffling cards requires fine motor control, grip and coordination, which help the limb function. Snakes and ladders/ Ludo- coordination disorder, limb movement, grip strength. Scrabble- enhances cognition, attention, and fine motor control. “For patients recovering from fractures, joint replacements, or injuries, board games can integrate functional movement in a low-stress, motivating way,” says Monika Singh Bindal, a Physiotherapist from Mumbai, who applies board game therapy for interactive, engaging, and holistic help for patients to rebuild both body and mind.

Rehabilitation is a continuous process- one that extends beyond the clinical setting. “Incorporating games and engaging activities

sustains the rehabilitation program, fosters happiness, motivation and confidence in patients as they progress towards recovery”, says Monika.

So, spend your leisure time playing board games with friends and family. Board games are one of the best ways to unwind, and they can be cathartic, relaxing and improve your overall well-being.

Victory Cards

• Studies show that playing board games stimulates brain areas responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes.

• Playing board games develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

• Splendour teaches strategy, planning skills, analytical skills and helps to de-stress

• Treasure Hunter teaches about decision-making skills and risk tolerance

• Scrabble- enhances cognition, attention, and fine motor control.

• Snakes and ladders/ Ludo- coordination disorder, limb movement, grip strength.

Gaming Stars

• Vin Diesel has played Dungeons and Dragons with friends for 40 years

• Cristiano Ronaldo credits his astuteness and sharp thinking to chess

• Antoine Griezmann former FC Barcelona player, often plays chess to relax and focus his mind.

• Drew Barrymore plays games like Life, Operation, and Chutes with her daughters.