Board Games, Stress, and the Surprisingly Therapeutic Power of Play

Stress. We all deal with it. Whether it's work deadlines, creative blocks, or just the general chaos of life, stress has a way of creeping in when we least expect it. And while some people turn to meditation or a good workout, I’ve found my own secret weapon: board games.

I remember one particularly rough day. Emails piling up, messages unanswered, and my brain feeling like an overworked hamster on a wheel. I knew I needed a break, so I grabbed Calico, a game about making a cozy quilt for sleepy cats. It wasn’t long before I was completely absorbed in the simple joy of pattern matching, my mind focusing on colorful tiles instead of looming responsibilities.

By the time the game ended, I felt… lighter. It was like all the noise in my head had been drowned out by the calm purring of imaginary cats.

Then there was the time I hit a massive creative block. As a game designer, coming up with fresh ideas is part of the job, but this time, nothing was clicking. Frustrated, I did what any reasonable person would do—I grabbed Canvas, a game about creating beautiful paintings. I didn’t expect it to be anything more than a distraction, but something about layering translucent cards to form a unique piece of art mirrored the process of game design itself.

By the end, I still hadn’t won, but I had an idea. And more importantly, I felt refreshed.

And then there was a different kind of stress—the kind that comes with uncertainty. It had been a while since I’d landed a new project, and the self-doubt was creeping in. My friends, sensing I needed a break, invited me over for a game of Herbaceous. The simple act of collecting herbs and arranging them into jars was oddly soothing. It was a reminder that sometimes, you just need to slow down, focus on what’s in front of you, and trust that things will work out.

That game led me to take up a bit of gardening—because apparently, board games can influence real-life hobbies too.

Board games have this way of pulling you out of your head and into the moment. Whether it’s a solo game to unwind or a multiplayer session with friends who remind you to breathe, they offer a kind of escape that doesn’t require a plane ticket or an expensive retreat. Just a table, a few cards or tiles, and a willingness to let go of whatever’s weighing you down.

So if stress has been getting to you, maybe it’s time to shuffle some cards, roll some dice, and see where the game takes you. Because sometimes, all you need to reset is a cozy quilt, a blank canvas, or a handful of herbs.