The idea of being productive and also playing online games seems like a contradiction. While many people would admit to playing a sneaky online game or two on their work computer, it’s not necessarily something that’s encouraged.
Is it possible to play online games that make you more productive, not less? Let’s discuss this and five simple online games to boost productivity.
How can online gaming boost productivity?
The simple fact is that playing online games helps you destress. Most games encourage creativity, and can also help to cultivate problem-solving skills, lengthen your attention span, increase your enjoyment at work, and much more. Group games are also great for teamwork.
5 Games to help you focus
While it may not be ideal to spend most of your time at work involved in an immersive, complicated computer game, there are plenty of relatively short, simple, and enjoyable games to play in order to boost your productivity.
Solitaire
If you’re looking for embeddable games to use on a personal website, look no further than solitaire. Solitaire is an old favorite and one of the easiest online card games to customize and personalize. While it’s not necessarily a team game, solitaire is ideal for destressing and refocusing.
Chess
The classic strategy game, chess is perfect for teaching problem-solving, strategy, patience, and more. It can be a two-player game, or you can play against the computer itself.
Gin rummy
Gin rummy is a more complicated two-player card game. It’s been around for a while and takes a little longer to master, but can be extremely rewarding. Like chess, you can play against anonymous players online, or against the computer. Alternatively, you could go head-to-head with another coworker.
Mahjong
There are two varieties of this online game to consider. Some versions use the original form of mahjong, involving four players and various hands of play. However, there is a simpler “match the doubles” version of mahjong, which is a single-play game not unlike solitaire. Whichever form of mahjong you choose to play, it’s a fun and relaxing game to play at work.
Scrabble
Last but certainly not least comes the mighty Scrabble. Word games are well-known to be good for sharpening the mind. Word games can improve concentration, memory skills, vocabulary, and much more. While we’ve mentioned classic Scrabble here as one of the easiest online games to play as a single person, there are countless word games to try out. If your workplace allows game-playing on a regular basis, you could consider team-player games, or games which are more complex.
While playing online games may be great for concentration and other valuable qualities, it’s important to take the feelings of your employer into consideration. In some workplaces, playing online games on your computer is unfortunately banned, regardless of the benefits.
However, if you are allowed to play games online during working hours, remember that balance is key – you can’t spend all day playing solitaire!