Welcome to Dr. Matt's Tabletop!

Greetings!

I am Dr. Matt, a cognitve scientist and teacher/professor who loves board gaming. With this blog, I hope to share what's new and exciting in the tabletop gaming community while also offering up insights into the cognitive and emotional benefits of this great hobby. 

My research over the years has focused on trauma and resilience, and how they impact the ways we think and manage our behavior. It turns out that there are many ways to overcome our past hurts and wounding, and one of them is board gaming. 

I took up board games after the pandemic as a way to reduce "doomscrolling" and my screen time in general. At first, this meant time with my college-age children who were enjoying a "bonus year" at home. But then they left - leaving me with shelves full of board games. Then I noticed that a couple could be played in solo mode! 

In my case, the benefits to my mental and physical health have been extraordinary. For example, my blood pressure is regulated now. And I am happier, or at least more content. And this should not be a surprise. Board gaming is tactile, and even when we play alone, there are cognitive processes that mimic the social interaction and cooperation of group play. And it does so in a way that is calmer, more conducive to mindfullness, and which tends to be emotionally safer than online multiplayer games. The benefits to board gaming are much more significant than video gaming, and the risks are lower. 

So, if you are interested in tabletop gaming, and your mental health, stick around. I think you'll like what you see here!