By Staff
It is official. According to a press release I received this week, experts have agreed board games are good for your health.
The week of Nov. 20-26 has been declared National Games Week.
I could have told those psychologists how beneficial board games were a long time ago.
Those who use therapy in their work have also agreed better mental health is available to all, both children and adults, whether they suffer from disorders or not.
Games present challenges in a non-threatening way. That is if those playing keep their competitive natures from getting out of hand.
Many skills are learned, for those who are even unable to read, all the way through to those adults interacting with complex games that take amazing abilities of recall and quick thinking.
I miss the interaction with my children we had when they were young and we enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table as a family.
We had a large assortment of board games, but also enjoyed cards and puzzles.
I believe when the children win, competing against adults, while knowing they won honestly and fairly, gives them a boost in self esteem. The mere fact that adults are enjoying being with and playing with children is important.
Too often the only interaction between the age groups is asking if their homework is finished, or complaining about the volume or taste of their music.
I plan on purchasing some of the favorites my children enjoyed while growing up for Christmas presents this year, to start their own collection for their new families.
I really enjoyed the puzzle on the back of the Cass County Council on Aging newsletter this month. I stopped what I was doing, after about nine hours of work, and let my brain switch gears with numbers instead of letters.
I felt good when I finished it in about 25 minutes and was ready to go back to what I normally do.
What is the old adage, “all work and no play …?”
Correction: In last week's column, I incorrectly stated the Cass County District Library was partnering with the Cass County Conservation District's fundraiser.
The calendar, “Home Grown in Cass County” is a fundraiser for the conservation district. Shirley Hartley, who is with the library, is also a member of the conservation district board.
The library does in fact join in some of the educational events in the community, such as a coming recycling craft workshop.
I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
For more information about the calendar, go to the district's web site: casscd.org or contact the Cass County Conservation District at (269) 445-8060.