Last year, a potassium deficiency left me partially paralyzed and has confined me to bed for the past nine months. I can’t move my left leg and am unable to walk, which has been incredibly frustrating. Progress in therapy has felt painstakingly slow as I don’t go to rehab often and not very effective. Fortunately, I do have some limited use of my left arm.
Just because I’m currently bedridden doesn’t mean I’ve given up on life or stopped finding ways to engage with the world, even if it’s in a much more limited capacity. My passion has always been cooking, which I obviously can’t do now. However, I’m lucky that I can still enjoy blogging and playing mobile games. Interestingly, a lot of what I miss about cooking can be found in virtual form, which brings a bit of that old joy right to my bedside. Fighting the brain fog that comes with being inactive has been a major challenge, which is why I’m so glad I discovered the wide range of games of Culinaryschools.org
CulinarySchools.org offers numerous free online games that are perfect for all ages. Since they only require a mobile device, they’re ideal for someone like me who is confined to bed. Given my new situation, I’ve had to look for games that aren’t fast-paced or require quick physical movements. Instead, I seek out those that boost my cognitive skills, focusing on challenges that require deep thought and planning.
I can only concentrate on two or three games at a time now, a significant change from my pre-bedbound days of endless play. My doctor actually encouraged me to find games that are creative and mentally stimulating—ones that help combat fatigue and clear the dreaded brain fog. The best options involve improving cognitive skills through creativity, problem-solving, and planning.
Here are the games that currently capture my attention and provide the mental workout I need:
I’m sure you’ve heard about the viral hit, Watermelon Merge. This fruit-themed puzzle involves dropping fruits from the top of the screen. When two identical fruits touch, they combine to form a larger fruit, and your ultimate objective is to create the largest fruit: a watermelon. You have to keep the fruit below a dashed line to keep the game going and rack up as many points as possible.
This game is great for fighting boredom because it demands strategy. To prevent the playing area from filling up too fast, you have to carefully plan your merges. The goal is to set up large combinations for higher scores, which requires understanding the game’s simple physics. By thinking ahead about how the fruits will roll and settle, you can maximize your merge potential and enjoy a long, high-scoring session. I particularly love watching the fruits jostle and roll into place—it’s very satisfying when a large drop creates a chain reaction.
If you have a fondness for pizza, you’ll likely enjoy Pizzeria. This fast-paced, 12-stage game challenges you to quickly create delicious, fresh pizzas to satisfy your customers.
The time pressure associated with managing a virtual restaurant forces you to strategize and act quickly to fulfill orders before customers get angry or time runs out. It mimics the real-life process of running a pizza shop: you select the dough, add the required toppings, cook the pizza in the oven, optionally add sauce, and finally serve it or place it in a box. You even have to remember to offer drinks!
A crucial part of the game is observing customer patience and prioritizing orders that are about to expire to earn extra tips. Beyond the cooking, you also have to be alert to your dwindling ingredient supplies and stock up as needed. Successfully finishing the required number of customers in each level before time expires is a fun, fast-paced way to keep my mind sharp and engaged.
Super Spice Dash is another game that brightens my day, especially since it involves my favorite food: chicken nuggets! This hilarious game has you rolling a nugget to collect golden crumbs and jump for chiles to score points. What I really enjoy is using the cursor keys for movement. The younger generation might be unfamiliar, but for me, it’s a nostalgic return to the classic gaming controls I mastered years ago.
The goal is to roll and jump with perfect timing—roll fast to score points, but be careful not to jump too early, or your nugget will fall into a pit. It’s a great exercise in timing and coordination.
These three games are currently the maximum I can focus on as I deal with my health challenges. I highly recommend visiting the CulinarySchools website to see their large collection of online games suitable for all ages.
Being bedridden doesn’t mean your life has to be dull. Diving into these culinary-themed games is a delicious and effective way to entertain yourself and keep your mind active. What do you think—are any of these games something you might try?
