Thanks to a suggestion card we received, we have created a chess area in the library to allow staff or students to take a break and spend some time playing chess.
Playing chess can be a good way to reduce stress and promote mental well-being by engaging your mind and providing a distraction from daily stressors, potentially leading to relaxation and calmness. Which may be important in the upcoming examination period.
Chess can help with stress reduction:
- Mindfulness and Focus: Chess requires intense focus and concentration, which can help redirect your attention away from daily stressors and promote a sense of calmness.
- Cognitive Stimulation: The strategic nature of chess challenges your mind, stimulating cognitive functions and potentially leading to a release of endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
- Problem-Solving and Resilience: Chess involves problem-solving and strategic thinking, which can help improve your ability to handle challenges and build resilience, potentially leading to better coping mechanisms for stressful situations.
- Social Interaction: Playing chess with others can provide social interaction and a sense of community, which can be beneficial for mental well-being and stress reduction.
- Escapism: Chess can be a good way to escape from the daily grind and focus on the game, which can be a good way to relax and clear your mind.
The chess board will sit in Library Level 2, near the laptop loans cabinet. We hope you enjoy your games.
We really love to get feedback from staff and students, if you have any further suggestions or feedback about the library and our services, fill in a suggestion card and post it in the box.
(It’s not just chess it has other games included. This was kindly donated to us by a member of Library staff 😍 thank you Erin.)