Chess is a game that is loved by many people. Not only that, the benefits of playing chess are also very many, especially for brain and mental health. This one game is known to be good for increasing concentration power to hone creativity and intelligence.
In recent times, chess has become increasingly popular because it is present in one of the television series on Netflix,The Queen's Gambit. Not only entertaining and fun, chess can also provide many health benefits.
Chess is a type of strategy game played on a checkerboard and is generally played by 2 people. Although it does not require strenuous physical activity, chess is considered a sport that is competed at the Olympic level.
Benefits of Playing Chess for Health
If you do it regularly, there are many benefits of playing chess that you can get, including:
1. Maintain brain health and function
One of the best activities to do to maintain brain health is playing chess. Several studies have shown that playing chess can increase the memory capacity of the brain, as well as train the brain's ability to think, plan, and solve problems. Chess is even included as a good form of brain exercise.
2. Increase intelligence
In addition to improving memory, playing chess is also beneficial for increasing brain intelligence. People who often play chess have good thinking and reasoning skills, making it easier to find solutions to problems.
There is also research which states that children who like to play chess on average have better academic achievements and IQs than children who rarely play chess. This means that the game of chess can make children smarter.
3. Increase concentration power
Difficulty concentrating can make a person take longer to complete work, as well as difficulty understanding lessons in class or absorbing information. Difficulty in concentrating can be caused by many things, and one of them is the aging process in the brain.
If you often find it difficult to concentrate, try playing chess more often. This game is proven to be good for increasing concentration and training the brain's capacity to store short-term memory.
4. Increase creativity
Not only for artists, such as artists, musicians, or painters, creativity is an important thing for every human being. Creative thinking skills play an important role in solving problems and understanding situations in everyday life.
Some people are born with a natural talent for creative thinking, but some are not. now, to hone your creativity, you can try various activities, including playing chess.
Several studies have shown that playing chess can train the brain's ability to imagine, so that creativity can be more formed.
5. Prevents senile dementia
Senile is a memory disorder that makes a person often forget. When experiencing severe dementia or dementia, a person can even have difficulty carrying out daily activities and not be able to recognize those closest to him. This condition can be caused by many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
To prevent senile dementia, you are advised to regularly train your brain's ability to remember and think. There are many activities you can do to prevent senile dementia, from reading often, playing music, pursuing hobbies, to playing chess.
Several studies show that playing chess is beneficial in maintaining brain health and function, as well as training sharpness of memory and concentration. In the elderly, the effect of playing chess is also good for preventing senile dementia and dementia.
Those are the various benefits of chess for health. However, so that these various benefits can be obtained optimally, you are also advised to live a healthy lifestyle, namely by eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and reducing stress.
If you still have questions about the benefits of playing chess for health, you can consult a psychologist.
