7 Psychological Benefits Of Playing Solitaire

This post is about the health benefits of playing Solitaire. However, first, allow me to share a fun (or actually, not so fun, fact about myself.) When I was just shy of 13 years old, in my 7th grade year (ah, middle school) I set my school bathroom on fire.

Now, even more interesting to note is that in the many years prior to this incident, I was an honor roll student. I was in the gifted program due to having an above average IQ & test scores. And I had never so much been issued detention, let alone a referral.

Yet here I was, apparently, I had entered a quantum jumping leap into this new reality where I would live the remainder of my teenage years as a juvenile delinquent. One where this version of me couldn’t be trusted to turn in my homework, make it to my classes on time (or, at all)– & to sum it up, basically, I had suddenly decided that the rules simply did not apply to me.

All in all… it was a rough journey. But it was one that helped me grow into the person I am today- and for that, I am forever grateful.

Solitaire, My Solitary Friend.

My punishment for setting the school bathroom on fire was an immediate 10-day suspension from my public school while the powers that be decided what to do with me. An offense like the one I had pulled off warranted expulsion and possibly even legal repercussions. But they didn’t feel like I truly deserved it- after all, I was an A student with a pristine record.

So, finally, they decided to put me in a drop out prevention class in lieu of expulsion. This meant I would stay in one classroom all day & not be allowed to be a part of the “mainstream” students (as they called them, and yes, I was no longer one of them).

My new class consisted of less than 20 students, almost all older than me due to being held back at least once. Many of them were gang members, some were pregnant, on probation & at least one was even a sex offender.

To put it simply, this was not the crowd I was used to hanging with. And, unsurprising, the feeling was mutual.

The schoolwork issued to me in this class was extremely easy for me & required no effort. And this is where I spent much of my free time with my face glued to the computer, playing Solitaire.

Solitaire, More Than Just A Card Game.

Well, as it turns out, Solitaire (and really, most if not all card games in general) is more than just something to pass the time! While that’s a happy benefit of playing card games such as Solitaire, it actually has a multitude of mental & psychological benefits as well.

7 Psychological Benefits Of Solitaire.

Solitaire actually helps expand and grow your brain’s abilities in a few different ways. Here’s a list of the most notable:

  1. Encourages mindfulness.
  2. Promotes a feeling of happiness & enjoyment.
  3. Helps you disconnect from the world around you & reconnect with yourself.
  4. Improves memory & retention.
  5. Increase & improves cognitive (brain) function.
  6. Teaches impulse control, delayed gratification & calculated steps.
  7. Teaches healthy competition with yourself.

Where To Play Solitaire.

So, if you’re ever in need of an easy way to boost your brain power & foster a connection with yourself- I truly recommend giving a game of Solitaire a shot! It’s helped me grow, learn & feel at ease during some of my most challenging times in life. Personally, I love the simplicity of the game. You can play with physical playing cards, but I typically prefer using computer or mobile versions of the game just because it adds to the easy setup.

Click below for one of my favorite & most trusted websites for playing Solitaire:

Visit Solitaire.org for multiple versions of the game & more!


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