Playing chess can ease anxiety symptoms, says neurologist

The results, however, begin to be seen in the medium to long term.

Chess is the competitive board game with the aim of “checkmate” the opponent, that is, it is the type of competition that requires silence, concentration and patience on the part of a competitor. Details that usually put off the energetic, but here comes the news! In this sense, the neurologist of the São Marcelino Champagnat Hospital Dr. Igor Barcellos recommended the game of chess to anxious people.

The impact of playing chess on anxious people

“The most anxious people have difficulty concentrating and especially have a loss of attention. Chess can be a tool to improve the functionality of brain pathways related to attention, concentration, planning and cognitive functions in general,” he said Igor in an exclusive interview for Sporting Life.

Did you lose many games in the beginning? Can’t develop any move and quickly find defeat? Do you find it difficult to stand still in front of the board? Calm! This is part of the beginning of a cycle. Without any forecast, the advice that remains is to insist.

“The data in the literature is not very clear on this (the time to obtain the cognitive benefits through chess). So, this is very particular and also concerns the time and the disposition,” concluded Barcellos.

Chess research papers

Therefore, this sport is also suitable for children and even the elderly. Some studies have even been conducted with children who have been playing chess for at least a year against children who do not play. The result of this experience showed an improvement in memory, reasoning, attention, thought organization and action planning.

“Studies began to be conducted in this direction in the 1960s and indicated the improvement of memory in individuals who regularly practiced this sport. Logical reasoning, planning and action inhibitions are the effects of play on the brain,” concluded Dr. Igor Barcellos.

Data

The CBX (Brazilian Chess Confederation) announced in 2018 the existence of 333 leagues and the registration of 30,806 chess players. Furthermore, the UN (United Nations) has listed chess as one of the oldest cultural and intellectual games in the world, which denotes the combination of sports, scientific thought, and artistic elements.

The origin of chess is uncertain, that is, there is the thesis that indicates its appearance in India in the sixth century and another with the accusation of “birth” in China around 204-203 BC by the military leader Han xin.

Source: Terra

Rose

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