Have you been playing more videogames since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you’re not alone.
Recent market research shows that two out of three Americans now play video games. That’s over 227 million active gamers today! Of course, video games are a fun way to relax. But do you also know about the surprising health benefits of playing video games?
We’ve put together this informative rundown to show you how leveling up in-game could also mean reaching a new peak of health.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of video games.
1. Improve Reaction Times
Gamers are no strangers to split-second decision-making – a skill that has myriad applications in everyday life.
The brains of video game players are more effective at processing audiovisual information, and as a result, they can make real-life choices considerably faster than non-gamers.
The heightened state of alertness and awareness that comes with playing video games has been shown to improve reaction times during certain tasks. Better reactions could help with driving, sports, and multitasking.
2. Build Problem-Solving Skills
The best video games contain a combination of action and challenge. Cognitive reasoning is vital to both videogame and real-life success.
From riddles and puzzles to overseeing virtual towns or empires, problem-based video games provide people the opportunity to take on an issue and find the solution.
People who play challenging video games develop better planning, management, and flexible thinking skills. These in-game problem-solving abilities transfer to real-life situations. Targeted brain training games can also help improve real-world problem-solving skills.
3. Foster Connections
Gamers are sometimes stigmatized as being very introverted, but this stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth.
The growth of multiplayer online experiences has spawned a new type of social interaction where participants collaborate to solve issues. This team-building, goal-orientated atmosphere is highly beneficial to building social connections.
The best video games foster a connection-building network of like-minded people and encourage social interactions between players. These online friendships can often lead to real-life meetups as well.
4. Gain Leadership Skills
Because some types of games reward and encourage leadership, gamers often demonstrate the same drive in their real-world professions. Leading a squad through an online battlefield or playing as a quarterback in a multiplayer football game can guild transferable skills.
When it comes to professional tasks, being able to improvise in a game could help with decision-making.
You don’t need to spend much to find the top leadership-based games. Check out gamemine now for more information on free gaming and subscription services.
The Health Benefits of Playing Video Games Explained
Far more than just a fun way to relax, video games are a great form of mental stimulation – offering problems to solve, targets to reach, and connections to form.
Gone are the days of mindless scrollers and arcade games. The modern benefits of playing video games are broad and far-reaching.
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Wayne Probert is a senior reporter at Zobuz, covering state and national politics, and he is a grantee with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Before joining Zobuz, he worked as a freelance journalist in Kentucky, having been published by dozens of outlets including NPR, the Center for Media.