Sharper Mind? Just Play Games
Moderation is the key.
JANUARY 2026 EDITION
16th of January 2026
The generic mindset towards ‘gaming’ is deemed a ‘waste of time’ and not beneficial to overall lifestyle improvements. That is because people limit their understanding of gaming to just console and PC games, such as Fortnite or Call of Duty.
The International Journal of Esports highlights that recreational gaming has the potential to enhance real-life skills, including cognitive abilities, problem-solving, and aid in stress relief.
Pc games, mobile games, console games, and board games are different ways to experience gaming. So, games like Fortnite and Call of Duty can be put to good use; however, everything in life is encouraged to be done in moderation. Therefore, to get the advantages of gaming, you have to do it in moderation.
Logic Puzzles
Sudoku, crosswords,
Board Games
Chess, Monopoly
Card games
solitaire, spades, uno, etc.
Table Top RPGs
Dungeons and Dragons
Mobile Games
Video games
Sandbox, roleplaying, simulations, action, etc.
The Neurology of Playing Games
It is widely acknowledged that devoting excessive time to social media—or, more broadly, short-form media content—is detrimental to the brain. This issue affects not only our cognitive abilities and attention span, but also our neuroplasticity and our capacity to strengthen neural networks.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, experience, or injury.
When we learn and actively engage in a game, the brain is constantly challenged. This creates new connections and strengthens existing ones, improving learning and skill retention. It doesn’t have to be just board games, logic puzzles, or console games; a wide range of games can produce these positive effects on the brain.
The brain is an organic supercomputer. And what happens to computers that don’t update over time? They become outdated, degrade, and take longer to perform simple tasks. For us, that might mean struggling to write an essay, finding it hard to sit and read a book for 30 minutes, or being unable to watch a film without reaching for our phones after a minute. The list goes on.
Spending just 30 minutes a day on crosswords or sudoku can, over time, significantly boost concentration and logical reasoning. Or you might spend an hour at the weekend playing Animal Crossing, completing small tasks and building a world of your own to relieve stress.
However, just as it’s important to engage in games to stimulate the mind, overindulging in them can also be harmful.
As Creyos notes, “it seems to be the case that video game play can benefit cognitive ability, mental well-being, and brain health when used in moderation.”
In general, excessive engagement with any one activity can become a disadvantage and pose risks. The key is moderation.
Not Just Any Game
I often think that people shouldn’t limit themselves to plain video gaming. As people who love art, which encompasses music, film, reading, and sharing introspection on various topics, I believe story-based games are an excellent area to explore. My favourite form of gaming deals with story-based games like The Last of Us, Detroit: Become Human, Red Dead Redemption, Silent Hill, Genshin Impact, Oxen Free, God of War, Life is Strange, Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, and so much more.
Moreover, if you can’t afford to buy them because, surprisingly, games are expensive… It’s 100% fine to watch gameplay on YouTube.
Immersing yourself in games can not only elevate your mood and provide entertainment but can also spark new ideas and enhance your thinking. Whether it's UNO, Minecraft, or Detroit: Become Human, I encourage you to give gaming a try.
Worth Having—
[NEXT BLOG: Too Many Faces, Which One Are You?]
⚠️ All image credits go to the original owners. I do not claim ownership of the images used in this blog. If you are the original creator and would like it removed, please feel free to contact me directly.
🎨 PICTURES: From Pinterest
Blogs similar to this:
{Bloggers Last Ink}
I was playing matching mahjong while typing this, lol.
{SEÉŃI’s Digital Salon}
Find Seéńi on other social media platforms: Pinterest, Tiktok and Instagram.
Pinterest boards you may find interesting: Echoes of Wisdom - quotes, Frames of Seéńi - images used in my blogs, La Muse Éternelle - muses of Seéńi and Pensée Chroniques - monthly journal prompts.
You always write about the most interesting and unique things, I love this!!
This is so good. I've been guilt-tripping myself about gaming but you're right... it's literally just another way to engage your brain. Way better than scrolling for three hours. I use to absolutely doing the games in the newspapers. I am going to start trying some sudoku in the mornings instead of doomscrolling.