Despite a winning track record, playing Solitaire often has me scratching my head. This is to be expected. Solitaire is a mental game, after all. But, at some point, I said this to myself: “The game sure is fun, even if it’s a little frustrating at times; but, am I actually benefitting from expending all this brainpower?”
This wasn’t just a random Sunday morning thought. I’d noticed that my mind was getting sharper since I started playing Solitaire. For one, I don’t forget my car keys when I’m leaving home anymore (which is convenient). I’m more quick-witted as well. It turns out there are good reasons for this.
Once I started investigating, I found that Solitaire actually has numerous cognitive benefits. Solving these puzzle-like card games has been proven to reward people with a mental boost.
Cognitive Benefits of Playing Solitaire
Let’s start off with the cognitive benefits of Solitaire. As I looked into the potential advantages of playing the game, I came across some unexpected traits and benefits. Some of them might surprise you.
Solitaire and Increased Cognitive Function
One of the first bits of research I found was a study conducted by the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute. The researchers found that playing card games – including Solitaire – helps increase brain volume in certain key brain regions. This can, in turn, lead to improved memory and critical-thinking skills.
The study also found that regularly engaging in card and board games correlates to a lower risk of developing dementia. If so, then Solitaire is a fantastic game to play (especially for elderly people).
Memory Boosting Qualities
Card games like Solitaire have strict structures and rules, which players must remember while playing. In Solitaire, you must often remember which cards have already shown up and which are still going to show up in the deck. Memory-demanding activities like these have been shown to stimulate the brain’s memory centers and boost memory (both short- and long-term).
Solitaire as a Mental Warm-up
Think of Solitaire as a cup of coffee for the mind. It’s not just a game to fill time. It’s a fun and stimulating way to wake up your cognitive faculties. Each card you turn and each move you make requires active thinking and focus. This helps keep your brain sharp and alert. Card games like Solitaire are perfect for anyone who isn’t drawn to brain teasers like Sudoku and crosswords.
There’s more to Solitaire than just moving cards around. Every game is a new challenge. You must adapt and strategize; you have to make smart moves with what you’ve got. While you’re enjoying the game, remember that you’re also giving your brain a helpful workout.
Emotional and Psychological Benefits
Solitaire doesn’t just have cognitive advantages; it also has subtle emotional benefits. Here are some of the ways in which Solitaire can boost your mood and generally benefit your daily regime.
Stress Relief and Mediation
Playing Solitaire can be a surprisingly calming activity. I’m not saying that you should spend all your time absorbed in the game, but it’s an incredible getaway from your everyday must-dos. If you treat Solitaire as a way to reset your mind – something you indulge in between tasks – then you’ll find it to be incredibly calming. It can also help you to seamlessly switch between other tasks.
Mood Improvement
Let’s be honest. We all get a little giddy when we finish a game of Solitaire. It’s even better when we manage to beat our past high scores or perhaps complete a timed challenge.
One would think that the opposite is true when we lose, but that’s rarely the case (unless I got incredibly close to winning before getting stuck). Due to the quick nature of Solitaire games, getting stuck or losing doesn’t feel like too much of a big deal.
Solitaire Benefits in a Nutshell
As I wrap up, here’s a brief breakdown of the benefits you can get from Solitaire. This should give you even more reasons to play (over and about enjoying the game itself).
| Aspect | Key points |
| Cognitive benefits | Mental exercise. Improves memory and enhances problem-solving and strategic thinking skills. |
| Emotional and psychological benefits | Relaxation and stress relief. Provides a cognitive break and increases satisfaction and positive emotions. |
| Social and entertainment benefits | Encourages social interaction and is both accessible and entertaining. Appeals to all ages, and offers a casual gaming experience. |
