If you love laughing and connecting with friends and family over a fun game, you may wish to consider starting your own scheduled game night. Here are four reasons you could benefit from the decision.

1. Purposeful Living

Before retirement, most people have a routine that includes times of fun and relaxation, such as a day off or the weekend. These scheduled days of leisure provide a goal to look forward to.

After retirement, it's common for days to blur together. By hosting a game night, you purposely stamp a time on your calendar for fun. This gives you a goal to aim for and activities to work on to achieve your desired outcome, which can help lift your mood and drive away feelings of boredom and monotony.

2. Social Opportunities

Many older adults feel isolated and lonely. One of the biggest draws for individuals considering an assisted living community, such as The Gardens at Barry Road, is the opportunity to socialize with their peers.

Whether you live in a retirement community or a residential neighborhood here in Kansas City, Missouri, game nights provide regular social connections. You may find this especially helpful if you're shy and find maintaining long conversations awkward. Games take the focus off talking and let interaction happen naturally as you play together.

3. Intergenerational Connections

Unlike friends who meet over a shared hobby, families often experience wildly different interests among their members. The diversity can make it challenging to gather and bond. This can be especially true for seniors trying to form connections with younger members of their family.

Game nights can bridge the gap in generations and personal interests. Playing games can provide common ground and help jump-start conversations that allow you and your family to get to know one another better.

4. Enhanced Wellness

Game nights require thoughtful planning and preparation. You'll have to make decisions, organize schedules and potentially learn the rules of new games. Besides gaining social recreation, you'll be providing your mind with healthy challenges before and during the games.

You also stand to gain a good boost of physical activity. Hosting a party requires you to prepare food and drinks, set up a space for your guests and greet everyone when they arrive. If you commonly feel restless or unmotivated, the enjoyment of a party may be the perfect way to convince yourself to get up and moving.

Tips for a Happy Game Night Experience

Hosting a game night doesn't have to be overwhelming. There are many simple tricks you can use to make the experience fun for yourself and your guests.

1. Think Small

A small gathering is easier to manage and may help you build confidence if you're not used to hosting.

2. Complete Tasks Beforehand

Consider asking guests to bring a small dish, or try preparing storable snacks in advance. For example, popcorn and homemade cereal mixes are quick to make, and dips and sliced vegetables keep well in the refrigerator.

3. Keep It Simple

Stick to familiar games or ones that are easy to learn. Explain your plan to your guests so they know what to expect and can help keep things flowing.

4. Involve Everyone

Choose games appropriate to you and your guests' abilities so everyone can have fun. Choices such as Qwirkle or Wits and Wagers Family can help level the playing field.