Are you stressed and looking for something that can relieve it? Well, card games are known to be one of the best stress relievers, which means to say that solitaire is one of them. This game is free of charge and is portable, which means you can play it even if you do not want to be online.
Playing card games is not just a hobby; it actually has a lot of benefits. Card games are known to ease one’s mind, distract one from their worries, relax the body, and help deal with everyday routines. Thus, card games are considered one of the best stress relievers.
That said, I think that maybe playing other forms of online games such as MMORPGs may be more stressful than playing Solitaire. Though I’m not saying that it’s impossible to get stressed from playing solitaire, but still, if you’re doing simple moves, then it’s very unlikely to get stressed out from them (I guess). We’ll dive into the reasons why it does help you relieve stress.
Why Do You Have Stress?
According to science, there are three main types of stress, which are physical, emotional, and mental stress. Your body changes and behaves differently when it’s under stress so that you can handle it. Yes, we all want to work and bring in money, but sometimes it seems impossible.
You feel that your life is full of tension because you’re stuck in the “here in this moment” routine, but if we break the routine and do something different, then our body can change. Card games help us relieve our stress because by doing simple moves, we just need to relax and enjoy the game while dealing with any problems outside or inside the game board (such as if a friend joins or leaves).
How Playing Solitaire Relieves Stress?
1. It distracts you.
Playing solitaire helps you to distract your mind from the things that trigger it. It may be your problems, everyday routines, or negative thoughts. You know what this game is like? It’s like stepping out of your house and letting the fresh air around you cool your mind. You step out of your stressful world and into a quiet one where you can think clearly about what makes you stressed. This clears up your mind for thoughts that make you relaxed.
2. It relaxes the body and the mind.
Playing solitaire does not just help to distract you; it actually helps to relax both parts of the body—the body and the mind. You are relaxed because doing moves is easy. You can do it even while doing something else. I love to play solitaire while watching a movie or listening to my favorite music. You know what? Even though watching the movie or listening to my favorite music is relaxing in itself, playing solitaire for me at the same time is also relaxing. Because aside from just doing moves, I am seeing my computer screen and that is it. I have no other thoughts: no chores, no errands, and no problems! That’s how simple this game can be.
3. It satisfies your need for challenges, competition, and win-ability.
Solitaire satisfies your need for competition because you always want to win at it. Every game that you play, your aim is to win, meaning to say that every time you win a game – whether small or big – it is satisfying. The satisfaction will greatly depend on how well you played the game and the number of cards that were left when winning the game.
Aside from competition and win-ability, playing solitaire also satisfies one’s needs for challenges because it requires one’s concentration and memory. You would want to remember what cards you’re able to move and what cards are still unmovable. Thus, it really requires great mind power.
4. It makes you feel better about yourself.
The fact that you can do something simple and relaxing yet still give you a lot of things is already an accomplishment. Although the task may be easy, at least you did it! And when things get complicated in your life, do not forget to have this kind of break.
When you’re stressed, remember to play Solitaire.
5. It has beneficial effects on health.
Playing card games is a lot healthier than other forms of computer games. It is because it involves both brain power as well as the body. The fact that Solitaire requires you to make moves is a good thing and it requires your brain power to solve things. Likewise, playing computer games that consume the body really burns it up and makes you feel tired, thus leading to health issues. Playing solitaire does not give this kind of effect because the body and mind are relaxed since you’re doing something simple, but it’s still challenging enough for them to be happy about their participation in this game.
6. It helps improve your thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
Playing solitaire is a great way to improve your thinking skills and problem solving skills because you are required to think about the cards that you can move and which cards are yet unmovable. Thus, it really helps improve one’s mental power.
7. It helps reduce your stress.
Of course, playing solitaire helps reduce your stress! You know why? Because when you play solitaire and you win a game, that gives you an accomplishment and relieves your stress in the process. On the other hand, when you fail—though it is unlikely that you will—that is also okay because at least you tried. And if you kept playing, the next time will undoubtedly be better.
8. It helps you learn how to manage stress.
It is very important that you know how to manage your stress because if you don’t, you will feel guilty in the process and stress yourself out. But if you know how to deal with your stress, then it’s okay to get some relief through playing solitaire. So try learning how to manage your stress in a healthy way by playing solitaire right now and see how it helps with your problem. I guess we can do something simple but effective!
Tips To Remember
Despite all the benefits that it brings to your life, there are still things that you should know before trying to play solitaire.
Do not play too much.
The game requires you to move cards, which requires a lot of concentration and memory, which can make one tired, especially if you’re just playing for fun. So, do not play the game for too long. And yes, this does include solitaire at home but also online solitaire games like FreeCell or Spider Solitaire. It’s okay to have a small break every now and then, but make sure that you’re not playing too much because if you are — even for just a minute or two — then it will be very likely that you will get tired.
Be sports.
It’s okay for you to have a small break every now and then, but make sure that you’re not playing too much, especially if you’re just playing for fun. If you are doing it for fun or something, then fine, but do not play too much. Be active to avoid becoming tired while playing solitaire, which can lead to health problems. Try doing some exercises. Do some light jogging, dancing, or even playing with your dog.
Do not quit, even if you have failed a few times already.
Whether you are already tired or not, do not give up! This is how healthy habits work, and this also applies to solitaire. If you think that you have already failed a lot, at least give it another try. If you want to win, then keep trying; if not, then just play for fun.
You know what? I always tell my friends, “If you always quit and never try—even if you were able to do the last move of your game—what will happen is that one day you will never try again.”
Have fun
Though the game may require a lot of concentration, you should not put too much pressure on yourself. Remember, it is just a simple card game. So if you think that you’re not making any progress, then relax, have fun, and just move on. But if you want to win, then be disciplined and focus on your moves. With just a little bit of concentration, memory, and a little bit of luck, the win is yours!
Don’t take losing personally.
Though it’s heartbreaking to lose a game, the fact that the game is just a card game and there is no real winner or loser should make you less sad. When playing Solitaire, there is no such thing as winning and losing. If you played well and did your best, then win! If you play poorly, then lose! Not every game has winners or losers. Although sometimes you lose, remember that at least you tried.
There is no right or wrong way to play solitaire.
Conclusion
In closing…
I hope I have convinced you why playing solitaire may help relieve your stress because of the benefits that come with it. Solitaire is really something that I will never get tired of. It’s a simple game that I can play at anytime, anywhere, no matter where I am and no matter what else I do. As long as there is a computer or any other machine around me, I can play Solitaire anytime, anywhere, no matter where I am or what else I have done with my life. Yes, it’s just a game, but at least I have this to keep me and my mind occupied.
It’s okay if you play solitaire only occasionally. But do not take it as something that is hard to achieve, because believe me, it’s easy to start! It’s easy to get used to playing solitaire, and I bet that you’ll play it more often soon enough.
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