I value peace, calmness and relaxation now more than ever. So as I sit in front of the computer listening to Big Oldies 107.3 radio station online and Bella softly snoring on the couch, I decided to do a mindless and mind-numbing activity.
What Is Mahjong?
In the 1920’s, the first mahjong game sets were imported from China into the United States and sold by Abercrombie & Fitch to the general public.
Mahjong is a game surround by myths about Confucius being the originator. Regardless who started mahjong, it is universally believed that the game began in China. Mahjong is actually a board game that is commonly played by four players in China. On the Internet, however, it can be play by one person. Although I feel that it is a mindless game, it requires the player to use skill, strategy and to calculate in order to win. Of course, there is also an element of chance too.
The game is has a set of 136 tiles which are based on Chinese characters and symbols. The board game is played a lot like a card game, but the the solitaire version online is much different. That’s a really good thing because the only card games I’m any good at playing is Old Maid and Flap Jack.
Aging, Relaxation And Mahjong
My mother will totally disagree that playing online games such as mahjong is relaxing, however, to many people it is not only fun, but also extremely relaxing.
The tiles that I highlighted in yellow are on the outer edges of the layer of tiles in the mahjong game. Those are the tiles that can be matched, clicked and eliminated.
As tiles are clicked and eliminated, the outer edge also changes and reveals more tiles that can be matched and clicked. The goal is to get down to zero tiles. When I only have two tiles left to click, it is a thrill.
This can be a very rapidly played game or I can click the tiles leisurely. Either way, the expected end result is to click the last two tiles.
As I get to the end of each game, I still get the same little thrill when there are only two tiles left to click and I play game after game after game.
Mahjong allows me to sit quietly and think about nothing. I’m able to escape into the game and receive positive reinforcement after I win. I don’t win money, but on this particular game I win flowers. Not real flowers! After I click the last two tiles, the purple flowers start falling down the screen as if they are falling off the tree.
Okay, maybe that doesn’t seem all that thrilling to you, but the game is so relaxing and so is winning! There’s also another benefit to playing mahjong.
According to an exploratory study of mahjong as documented by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, “Regardless of frequency of playing, mahjong produced consistent gains across all cognitive performance measures…The effects lasted after mahjong had been withdrawn for a month, suggesting that constant practice is not necessary to achieve therapeutic effect once an initial threshold is attained.” The study went on to say that, “Mahjong is a viable treatment option for dementia.”
Not only is mahjong fun and relaxing, it is also a great therapy to ward off dementia!!!
There are all kinds of mahjong games with different pictures on the tiles. There is even one for the new year that includes snowmen! I think it is so cute.
However, my favorite mahjong game to play is just the standard game with the falling flowers at the end. No matter which mahjong game played or whether it is for fun, relation or to ward off dementia, never underestimate the thrill of clicking the LAST TWO TILES!
Woohoo!!!
You already knew I was nerdy. If you can’t beat them, join them. So go ahead, give in and join me! LOL
I love playing solitaire mahjong! …of course, that must come as no surprise, since you already know what a nerd I am! I also love Tetris for the same reason, as well as many other such games… did I ever tell you that, back when I was one of the first 500 beta testers of what later became AOL, I also got to beta test such games as the first release of Tetris? ooooohhh, that was fun! 🙂
No! You never told me that! Wow! THAT must have been so much fun!!!!
So interesting. I never heard of that game. I don’t really have time for games with doing the blog and working a WAHJ too, but I just might try this one and will suggest it to those I know who play online games. Happy New Year!
Thank you and Happy New Year to you too!
I love Majong! I have a game installed on my computer! I didn’t know you could play it on line. Is it free or do you have to join a site like Gamehouse or Big Fish?
Love ya!
PJ
Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! LOL 😀
I have it on both computers, my iPad, & my Kindle… addicted nerd, much??? 😛
LOL Yep, you are definitely a nerd!
I love playing Mahj Jong and haven’t played in some time. I really do need to beautiful music and pictures and coy etc. to relax my brain. I have already decided I cannot keep up the pace I had been going as it just caused stress, etc. keeping my blog so busy with reviews/giveaways. Not that I don’t like the benefits! As you know, I am ill and getting worse, facing some scary options this upcoming year, needing stomach/esophagus surgery and also brain biopsys that may lead to? So, yes. I think I will play Maj.
I did play the real game years ago with friends but we have all gone our ways. That was fun and relaxing to. ‘I think the moral to your story is to find something that relaxes oneself, as the world is spinning by way to fast! Thanks for the reminder, and the pretty pictures.
I’m glad you’re going to slow down. I think it will do you a world of good to relax for awhile and focus on yourself. {{{{hugsss}}}
I find it a great way to ‘unwind’ and let go and ‘let it be’. ^_^ Good for the old brain too! LOL
Happy New Year ^_^ (A Creative Harbor) aka artmusedog and CArol ^_^
😀 Happy New Year Carol!!!
I absolutely love mahjong! I’m also a big fan of sudoku, free cell, and Tetris. These games are definitely relaxing, and actually keep me alert during my long twelve hour work shifts.
😀 Twelve hour shifts are tough, so I’m glad you found a way to relax. I’m sure that by taking the time to relax, you end up feeling better and having more energy!
I have never played MahJong. This is such an informative post. Have fun my friend. Kick some MaJong bum…LOL thank you for sharing at the hop xo
You should try it! I love it especially because I like to win and I do that a lot!!! LOL 😀
I have never played Mahjong, but this looks like a fun game and a neat way to relax. I’m co-hosting this week with Katherine at Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you will stop by for a visit. Wishing you all the best in 2013.
I hope you give it a try sometime. It might just become your addiction! 😉 Happy New Year!
And do you play mahjong with friends as well? It’s a game that’s allows room for a little talk, a little laughter and lots of fun though lately I’ve not been lucky enough to have very much fun!
I’ve never played with friends. Actually, I never thought of playing it with anyone! LOL
I have been playing some of the free games on Swagbucks and I am hooked. 🙂 Happy New Year!
It’s so easy for me to get hooked! Happy New Year to you too!!! 😀
Never got the hang of Mahjong nor Gin rummy but Bridge, that’s another story 🙂
I play more for the company, feel something’s missing online (can’t smack my partner for playing the wrong card online).
LOL LOL That cracked me up!