I confess to having a guilty pleasure, and it’s not linked to re-binging “Glee” in total (including the less than stellar latter seasons), or the fact that I’ve consumed a copious amount of Harry Potter fan literature over the years.

My secret obsession is playing the games on LinkedIn.

To address the question on your mind: Does LinkedIn have games? Absolutely. As of May, LinkedIn introduced three puzzle games via LinkedIn News, akin to a spin-off of New York Times games. These include the logic puzzle Queens (my personal favorite), the word game Crossclimb (quite enjoyable), and the word-association game Pinpoint (not the best, but it’s alright).

LinkedIn is employing the tried-and-true tech tactic of mimicking successful strategies from other companies, even if gaming on a professional networking platform seems unconventional. The popularity of NYT Games, which has users spending more time on its gaming app than its news app as of December 2023, is a clear inspiration.

LinkedIn is not alone in this trend. Apple News, Netflix, YouTube, and others are also offering games for users to enjoy. Despite completing my daily New York Times puzzles, I find myself craving more. While I’m not compelled to play LinkedIn’s Crossclimb before Connections, the games are engaging enough to provide that satisfying dopamine hit.

Typically, I play LinkedIn’s games during work hours (apologies to my manager). Sometimes, I’m on LinkedIn to verify information or search for a reference, but then I recall I can spare a few minutes to engage in a game. At other times, a break from writing an article draft to resolve a vibrant Queens puzzle provides a refreshing respite.

Interestingly, there’s a scientific explanation for our affinity for these daily brain-challenging games.

I had a conversation with DeepWell DTx co-founder Ryan Douglas, whose firm is based on the premise that moderate video gaming can have mental health benefits. In some instances, a quick game can divert us from negative thoughts or stimulate a fresh perspective on a problem.

Douglas mentioned to TechCrunch that playing a game like Tetris doesn’t allow room for self-deprecating thoughts or worry about future events. From a neuroscience perspective, gaming activates our limbic system responsible for managing stress, conditioning our brains to tackle stress in various ways, even if the stressors are simulated.

Douglas explained, “You begin learning at a subconscious level, creating new neural pathways at an accelerated rate, and preferentially choosing them subconsciously for future stress management.” This doesn’t imply that we should immerse ourselves in Pokémon all day, but DeepWell’s therapeutic gaming tools are approved for 15-minute sessions.

This might explain our fascination with games like Wordle and others from The New York Times (and LinkedIn), which have a definite conclusion. You complete your daily puzzle and then move on.

Josh Wardle, the creator of Wordle, shared his thoughts on his game’s viral success with TechCrunch before The New York Times acquired it.

Wardle expressed his skepticism of apps and games that demand constant attention, stating, “I think people appreciate things that transparently don’t want anything from you.” However, he conceded that games, including his beloved LinkedIn games, do require one thing: your attention. I must admit, I’ve been spending a significant amount of time on LinkedIn recently.

LinkedIn’s data reveals that my behavior is far from unique. The company reported a 20% week-over-week growth in new player engagement since July. LinkedIn also observed an increase in users initiating conversations after playing games. After completing a game, you can see which of your connections have also played, which some users see as a networking opportunity. I don’t use it for that purpose, but most of my LinkedIn conversations are simply me messaging my friends “hi,” which for some reason amuses me.

So, take a moment to enjoy a game or two on LinkedIn and then, about four minutes later, return to the relentless hustle of the global economy.