The game as a practice of personal growth 💪

When we reach adulthood it is normal that the daily routine envelops us in a myriad of stressors. This makes us leave behind that inner child that, although we do not “feel” it consciously present, is still more active than ever.

Games were a fundamental part of everyone's childhood, as they say in the publication of the initiative, even with a “fistful of dirt” we could play because our imagination flew without limits.

But why should it be different now? Although we do not have the same amount of free time, we should at least dedicate a couple of hours a week to some kind of game that we like or that catches our attention.

In addition to clearing our minds, it helps us with our physical and mental well-being: it greatly reduces stress, stimulates us cognitively because it improves our concentration, strengthens our social relationships and fosters creativity and problem-solving skills.

Play is underestimated as we grow up, we think we “don't need it” anymore, but it is still an important part of human development because it goes beyond a mere distraction.

An idle mind ages much faster than one that remains active 💪, so it is vital to sustain the habit of playing to continue stimulating our brain.

And it is also paramount to try to get these new generations to emulate this same activity, because with the rise of technology today's children are not attracted to what was once normal. They prefer to be glued to the screens than to go out and have real fun 😤.

That's why I think it's totally wrong for parents to give cell phones or tablets to their children. These are things they should acquire for themselves when they are old and mature enough to use them responsibly.

Seeing children and teenagers as zombies, addicted and dependent on technology is something that shocks me. We need to normalize raising them with games that keep them connected to the real world, motivating them to socialize and develop skills.

My favorite games

Among my favorite childhood games are memory games, cards, dominoes and the famous “Yaquis”, in which I was not so good, however, I had a lot of fun with my friends when we got together to play at recess.

Also, I liked to play with the yoyo and the spinning top, I could spend hours on that with my cousins, making competitions and trying to do new tricks. Unfortunately, I didn't have any left to show in the photos ☹️, at some point they got lost in the moves.

Jigsaw puzzles were not lacking in my home either. When we finished putting them together, we liked to leave them on the dining room table for a while. We always got the bigger ones: the more difficult they were, the more fun they were.

Definitely, if I could go back in time for one day, it would be to one of these precious moments I shared with close friends and family. Because games keep people together, in them we learn something new and through them we explore what we like.

“Is gambling a personal growth practice?”

In addition to observing our behavior and the way we relate to each other through play, the practice itself generates personal and emotional well-being. Playing lowers anxiety levels, releases endorphins, provides us with satisfaction, calm and joy.

It also strengthens our bonds with others, giving us insight into the world around us. How many of us have established deep connections through play? Undeniably, engaging in any kind of playful activity can be another way to meet people who share similar tastes to ours 🙌.

What are your favorite games?

This was my contribution to the initiative called by Holos&Lotus and my first post published in the Recreational Games community 🙌. I hope you liked my contribution. I cordially invite @enraizar, @germanandradeg, @pannavi and @elpastor to participate. A hug to the whole community 🤗.

Cuando llegamos a la adultez es normal que la rutina diaria nos envuelva en un sinfín de estresores. Eso nos hace dejar atrás a ese niño interno que, aunque no lo “sintamos” presente en el consciente, sigue estando más activo que nunca.

Los juegos formaron parte fundamental en la infancia de todos, como bien dicen en la publicación de la iniciativa, hasta con un “puño de tierra” podíamos jugar porque nuestra imaginación volaba sin límites.

Pero, ¿por qué ahora debería ser diferente? Si bien no contamos con la misma cantidad de tiempo libre, al menos, deberíamos dedicar un par de horas a la semana a algún tipo de juego que nos guste o llame la atención.

Además de despejar nuestra mente, nos ayuda con nuestro bienestar físico y mental: reduce en gran medida el estrés, nos estimula a nivel cognitivo porque mejora nuestra concentración, fortalece nuestras relaciones sociales y fomenta la creatividad y la capacidad de resolución de problemas.