Snake & Ladder

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Snake & Ladder

Objective

Work life is like a rollercoaster, they say. Through this game, reflect on real work challenges in a low-pressure, fun format.

Problem Statement

Unmanaged stress can hurt your team. They can drain your team’s morale and performance. Team members burn out silently, feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to break the cycle.

Solution Provided

Introducing Resilience Build: Snakes & Ladders—a powerful, game-based activity that turns building resilience into an engaging, self-guided experience. 

The Science

Snakes and ladders represent setbacks (snakes) and positive habits (ladders). This turns complex ideas into simple, relatable concepts that are easier to understand and think about. This is a key part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping players identify triggers and coping strategies and shift how they view workplace challenges.

Time Commitment

15-20 minutes.

Facilitation Level

Low— The game is designed for players to easily manage themselves. The board and components guide the players through the experience autonomously.

How to Play

  • Setup:
    • Each player chooses a token and places it on the “Start” block.
    • Have a dice ready.
  • Taking a Turn:
    • Roll the dice and move your token forward the corresponding number of blocks.
  • If you land on a normal block:
    • Read the prompt on that block.
    • Reflect on it, act it out, or talk about it with the group (if playing with others).
  • If you land at the top of a ladder:
    • Climb up the ladder to the higher-numbered block.
    • This represents using a strength or positive strategy. Acknowledge this win.
  • If you land on the head of a snake:
    • Slide down the snake to the lower-numbered block.
    • This represents a stressor or challenge. Read the prompt to understand what caused the setback.
  • Winning the Game:
    • The first player to reach or exceed the final block (Block 100) wins.

Important Guidelines & Pro Tips

  • This is a tool for self-reflection. There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is personal awareness.
  • Sharing is optional. If playing with others, be respectful and maintain confidentiality. What is said during the game stays in the game.
  • Use the QR codes for extra help:
    • If you hit a challenging “snake” (stressor), scan the QR code to find tools and resources to deal with issues like overwhelm or self-doubt.
    • To build resilience, scan the codes to find strategies like mindful breaks or assertive communication.
  • Take what works for you. Use the strategies that help you and feel free to ignore the ones that don’t.
  • Disclaimer: This game is for self-reflection, not professional therapy. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional.

Planning to run this game/activity? Listen to the audio instructions below for a smooth and effective session.

About Witmer Health
We create personalized mental productivity and wellness solutions to transform the modern workplace. Our first product, mind-n, uses neuroscience, AI, and segmentation to help professionals achieve sustained high performance, without the stress.