Text -- 304-412-4065 Danny@DannyPettry.com

Recreational Therapy Articles to Help You Earn CEUs Faster & Improve Patient Outcomes

Need CEUs for renewal?

Tetris Time: Unlocking the Surprising Brain-Boosting Benefits of Everyone’s Favorite Block Game

by | Dec 28, 2023 | Activity Ideas, Evidence/ Research, Featured | 0 comments

Are you a fan of puzzle games?

Ive been playing this game a lot lately.

 

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a devoted player, you might be surprised to learn about the incredible benefits that playing Tetris can offer.

 

Beyond being an enjoyable pastime, diving into the world of Tetris can actually have a positive impact on your brain and overall well-being.

 

Cognitive Enhancement:
Research has shown that regularly playing Tetris can lead to improvements in critical thinking, reasoning, language, and processing speed. The game’s fast-paced nature and demand for spatial reasoning can contribute to a sharper, more agile mind. Studies have revealed that engaging with Tetris can increase gray matter in the brain, potentially leading to better cognitive function and enhanced problem-solving skills.

 

Mental Health Benefits:
In addition to its cognitive perks, Tetris has also been linked to mental health improvements. Surprisingly, playing Tetris has been found to reduce cravings for food, drugs, and other activities. Moreover, the game’s ability to disrupt the brain’s formation of visual memories of trauma may hold potential for reducing the occurrence of flashbacks in individuals with PTSD. Astronomers have even considered utilizing the distracting nature of Tetris to combat the effects of isolation and confinement during long space missions.

 

Therapeutic Applications:
The benefits of Tetris extend beyond the realm of entertainment and cognitive enhancement. Mental health professionals have begun to explore the therapeutic potential of Tetris, utilizing the game as a tool to aid in the management of cravings associated with addictive behaviors. By engaging the brain in the captivating world of falling blocks, individuals struggling with various cravings can potentially find a healthy distraction and form of mental relief through playing Tetris.

 

In Conclusion:
It’s clear that Tetris offers far more than just a fun way to pass the time. With its proven cognitive enhancement, mental health benefits, and potential therapeutic applications, Tetris stands out as a surprising ally in our quest for a healthier, sharper mind. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for a game, consider giving Tetris a try. You might just find yourself not only having fun but also reaping the multitude of benefits that this classic game has to offer.

 

Remember, when it comes to maximizing the potential of your brain and well-being, it’s time to make room for Tetris.

Search Rec Therapy Content

Rec Therapy Today — 

Trusted by 15,000+ recreational therapists worldwide

Read Latest Recreational Therapy Articles

What We Heard After Our AI + Recreational Therapy Conference

On September 19, Rec Therapy Today hosted a full day of presentations focused on Artificial Intelligence + Recreational Therapy. After the conference, we asked participants what they learned or gained from the experience. The responses showed both excitement and...

read more

Notice the Good: Find the Small Joys in Every Day

By: Danny Pettry, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, CTRS-BH Nicholson Baker once said: “If you ask yourself ‘What’s the best thing that happened today?’ it actually forces a certain kind of cheerful retrospection that pulls up from the recent past things to write about that you...

read more

“Do It Right the First Time” Is Terrible Advice

By Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed. M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH I remember hearing teachers give this advice: “Do it right the first time, and you won’t have to do it again.” It sounds like good advice. And sometimes it is. If I’m completing a task I already know how to do,...

read more

Enter our September 2026 Giveaway!

This month we're celebrating the people who make recreational therapy great — YOU!   Three lucky Rec Therapists will win a:  “The Best Rec Therapist” Coffee Mug   Plus... 100 people will win a FREE “The Best Rec Therapist” sticker!      ...

read more

Why I Renewed My ATRA Membership

Why I Renewed My ATRA Membership I recently renewed my annual membership with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). I first joined ATRA in 1999, and today I am proud to be a lifetime member. Over the years, I have heard nonmembers ask, “What is ATRA...

read more

What Do Our Patients Enjoy Doing for Fun?

Recreational therapists spend a lot of time thinking about leisure. We assess interests. We plan interventions. We introduce new experiences. We adapt activities. We help people reconnect with things they once enjoyed. But what do the people we serve actually enjoy...

read more

What Do Recreational Therapists Do for Fun?

We spend a lot of time talking about how recreational therapists help other people discover meaningful recreation. But what do recreational therapists themselves do for fun? During a recent Rec Therapy Today giveaway, we asked our readers a simple question: “What are...

read more

Congratulations to Our Chasing Fun Giveaway Winners!

We love giveaways at Rec Therapy Today—and we especially love getting resources into the hands of recreational therapists! Congratulations to the 15 winners who will receive a copy of Chasing Fun: Alicia G. — Casa Grande, Arizona Nancy P. — Port St. Lucie, Florida...

read more

This We Believe

By Danny W. Pettry II We believe recreational therapy can change a life. We believe recreation can help someone discover strength they didn't know they had. We believe it can create connection where there was isolation. Confidence where there was doubt. Hope where...

read more

We’re Giving Away Our Secret Sauce

Every company has something that makes it different. At Rec Therapy Today, we're willing to tell you ours. It isn't our courses. It isn't our newsletter. It isn't a website, conference, book, or CEU certificate. Our secret sauce is what we believe: We believe in the...

read more

Congratulations to Our July 2026 T-Shirt Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered our July 2026 Rec Therapy Today T-Shirt Giveaway! We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from recreational therapists across the country. Each winner will receive an exclusive Rec Therapy Today T-shirt. We hope you'll wear it with...

read more

Congratulations to Our July 2026 Coffee Mug Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered our July 2026 Rec Therapy Today Coffee Mug Giveaway! We loved seeing so many recreational therapists participate, and we're excited to recognize this month's winners. Each winner will receive a Rec Therapy Today "Rec Therapist of the...

read more