Escape rooms are chock-full of challenging puzzles and fascinating stories that ignite the senses and propel players into a heart-pounding adventure. The benefits of these cerebral games are not just for developing brains, but wise, matured brains that need doses of mental stimulation to stay young and fit.
The ability to live and age is possibly one of the greatest gifts of existence, however, most of us would agree that the process can sometimes be anything but giving. In addition to unwelcomed effects time has on our physicality, our brains begin to lose volume as blood flow changes and nerve connections become affected by inter-cellular competition. Currently, 5.1 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia characterized by premature senility caused by accelerated brain tissue degradation. Many senior citizens combat their chances of developing age-related neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s with basic lifestyle changes, such as learning new skills, solving puzzles, and conserving routine social lives.
Because each escape room is unique, these games present a different setting and situation to engage and conquer, inviting seniors to learn new skills and discover ones they never knew they had. Some rooms require all five senses to solve, and thus can sharpen a player’s mental acuity by forcing them to consider the information their body instinctively collects about their surroundings.
Working with puzzles has been shown to decrease the risk of developing dementia, and seniors who play games are said to have overall healthier lives. Furthermore, those who increase or retain social interaction have less cognitive and physical limitations. Included with their myriad of diverse puzzles and riddles, escape rooms offer opportunities to work with strangers towards a common goal and make new friends. If you are not ready for new friends, these games can also strengthen your existing friendships.
If you are looking to jazz up your weekly puzzle nights, consider hunting down an escape room for multi-beneficial and indelible fun. Your brain will thank you!