Since the dawn of Pong and Space Invaders, video games have come a long way. Nowadays, people from all age groups enjoy playing them as entertainment—though some think they’re nothing more than time-wasters with no real benefits.
However, science says otherwise! Studies suggest that adults who play video games can be happier than those who don’t. Read on to learn about the advantages of engaging in this pastime and discover why so many grownups are turning to gaming for enjoyment today.
What are the Benefits of Playing Video Games?
Forget the days of people telling us video games would rot our brains. It turns out gaming can actually SURGE your cognitive abilities and make you smarter. Plus, if that wasn’t enough, these same studies have shown increased hand-eye coordination and reaction speed from regular play.
So grab a controller (or better yet, get one for your friends too) – science says playing is good for ya!
After you clock out at the office and your boss stops hovering over your shoulder, don’t just plop down in front of a TV – dip into another world with video games. Let them whisk away your stress like it’s nothing. With hours of challenges to conquer and enemies to vanquish, gaming is here for some epic escapism. No one will ever know if you are out there saving the universe or just having some downtime from reality.
What’s more, video games can be a great way to socialize. Whether it’s with close friends, complete strangers, or family members – video games can be the perfect way to let your competitive spirit roam about.
Do Video Games Make Us Happy?
It’s no surprise that everyone loves playing video games, but how does it really affect our happiness? Recent research has explored this question and discovered an abundance of factors like: types of games we play, frequency of playtime, duration of time spent on gaming, and even things such as personality or life circumstances.
1. Video Games and Positive Emotions
Numerous studies have established that playing video games is directly linked with positive emotions. Unlock your ultimate sense of joy and relaxation, and become a champion at it, too. Recent studies in the Journal of Happiness Studies show that video games can benefit you, significantly boosting happiness levels. Not only will you enjoy every minute spent leveling up, but gamers have reported lower feelings of stress and anxiety compared with non-gamers. So grab your controllers: true satisfaction awaits.
The University of Florida lists a study that confirms that video games can bring up positive emotions because they make us feel accomplished. Completing video game levels and objectives provide players with a sense of joy and fulfillment. This experience of achievement may contribute to inner bliss and contentment in gamers.
2. Video Games and Social Connections
Video games aren’t just a source of entertainment— they can be the basis for surprisingly strong friendships. Whether playing with existing friends or meeting new people online, video gaming is an awesome way to bridge distances and bring out our natural inclination towards camaraderie. A research study published in the Frontiers in Psychology revealed that online gaming supplies gamers with a special feeling of sensation seeking.
In addition, video games can be a fantastic way for parents and children to connect. Spending time together gaming creates joyous memories that strengthen the bond between parent and child.
3. Video Games and Stress Relief
Have you ever noticed how getting lost in a video game transports us, if only for a few minutes or hours, to some magical universe? Well it turns out that this isn’t just something we feel. According to science, playing games can be the most efficient way of cutting loose from life’s struggles and putting our minds at ease. Television has been doing it forever – now gaming is here with an equally powerful antidote for stress.
4. Video Games and Cognitive Function
Looking for a way to fire up your brain? You’re in luck because playing video games isn’t just fun – it can help sharpen your skills and give you an edge. Studies have shown that gaming increases attention span, memory recall, problem-solving abilities, and hand-eye coordination.
Playing video games can indirectly lead to elevated joy and morale through its ability to boost cognitive ability. When our brains are in peak form, we possess the aptitude necessary to grapple with life’s adversities and savor its highs.
How Can Playing Video Games as an Adult Benefit Your Life?
You may think that video games are merely an early afternoon pick-me-up, but their advantages reach far beyond just providing a bit of fun. Gaming technology has advanced to the point where it can sharpen problem-solving skills and inspire creativity – not only will your mood be improved, you’ll find yourself smarter. It may also positively impact all aspects of life.
1. Improved Hand-Eye Coordination and Reaction Time
You can sharpen your hand-eye coordination and reaction speed by playing video games that necessitate swift reflexes and accurate hand motions. Action games especially require players to instantly react to shifting stimuli on their screens, thereby refining these skills even further. Improving hand-eye coordination and response time will be advantageous in many realms of life, such as driving or sports, where quick reactions are a must.
2. Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
Tired of being just an observer? Ready to start building your own virtual world and put those creative muscles to work? Look no further than games like Minecraft or The Sims – the perfect platforms for unleashing your inner creator. And if you’re a strategist at heart, play through city building games and test out how well you can manage resources. These video games may seem small, but they can help strengthen that brain power with some serious problem-solving skills as rewards along the way.
3. Educational Benefits
Not only can video games be fun, but they are also capable of teaching. Assassin’s Creed has been applauded for its exact replication of history while Math Blaster and Oregon Trail have been utilized in instructional settings to help students better comprehend mathematics and history. Moreover, a selection of language-learning video games enables players to increase their linguistic abilities without feeling overwhelmed or bored from tedious drills.
How to Find Time To Play Video Games as an Adult?
It’s the age-old conundrum: you want to play more video games, but responsibilities have gotten in the way. Don’t let a hectic schedule completely wreck your gaming dreams – with some clever planning and creative thinking, it’s possible to find time for power-ups even when real life insists on grinding.
Here are some strategies for finding time to play video games as an adult:
1. Schedule gaming time
If you want to make sure that you have enough time for gaming, plan it ahead of time. Set aside some quality hours every week for all your digital adventures – because, let’s be honest, there are more important things in life than getting distracted. So make sure you plan out a schedule and stick with it – just think of how impressed everyone will be when they learn about your organizational skills (and killer game scores).
2. Make gaming a social activity
Need more time for gaming but don’t know where to find it? Don’t let the lonely single-player experience drag you down. Set up a game night with your friends and make your leisure hours as entertaining as ever. If that’s not an option, take advantage of online communities filled with gamers just like yourself.
3. Use gaming as a reward
Looking for a way to stay motivated while completing tasks or projects? Don’t let gaming be your guilty pleasure, make it a reward. Treat yourself to an hour of fun after you’ve made good decisions like tidying up the house or completing projects. We all need something enjoyable as motivation, right?
4. Combine gaming with exercise
Struggling with keeping up your fitness level whilst gaming? Get a VR. With video games like Dance Dancing Revolution or any exhilarating VR titles, you can simultaneously stay fit and enjoy yourself. It’s the perfect combo of entertainment and exercise. Don’t miss the opportunity to have a blast while improving your health at the same time.
5. Play during downtime
Your downtime doesn’t have to be boring. Use your lunch break, or time spent waiting in line, as an opportunity to flex those gaming muscles. Keep a portable game console in your pocket, and whip it out during lulls for some casual fun. It might not be enough for a hardcore gamer, but these quick sessions will help keep that passion alive even when life gets busy.
Conclusion
Gaming isn’t all gloom and doom as they make it sound, there are so many positive aspects of it. Unlock all the sweet cognitive-boosting, stress-relieving, and socializing benefits of gaming, just remember that moderation is key, or you’ll be leading yourself down quite a slippery slope (unless Mario Kart happens.Then, go for it). Game on, my friend.