Let’s be completely honest; video games often get a bad rap. How many times have you heard “stop wasting your time playing video games- go outside!” or “stop playing video games, you’ll ruin your eyes”? Probably, more than you want to admit. Well, it’s time to turn that frown upside down because new studies show that gaming is actually good for your health – both for the body and the brain.
The debate as to whether gaming is bad for us has been going on for years. And, most people assume that video games are the cause of many mental problems.
However, things have changed significantly in the last couple of years, and more and more studies are being conducted to find out the truth.
Luckily for gamers, results have been divisive. While there are some downsides to gaming, studies show that there are also many upsides to gaming, some of the main ones being:
- It improves multitasking skills
- It improves decision-making skills
- It improves social skills
Today, video gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, with video gamers collectively spending 3 billion hours per week in front of their digital devices. This led scientists from all over the world to research all the benefits and downsides of gaming, and as you see, the results are pretty shocking.
Is There a Common Ground For Two Gaming Worlds?
For decades, gamers and gamblers have been viewed as separate groups. However, recently, developers from either side of the fence have started to notice that there is, in fact, some common ground between the two.
When you think about it, gaming and gambling are actually very similar activities, especially now, where a lot of gaming activities are starting to include gambling features and vice versa.
The main difference between these two is that for gambling, the outcome is achieved by chance, not skill, whereas for gaming, the opposite is true.
The similarity between gaming and gambling is how some of the games work. Slots at online casinos such as casinowhizz.com use a random number generator to display symbols on the reels. Well, video games use an engine that works in the same way.
Additionally, the more you are successful when gaming or gambling, the more rewards you’ll get. For example, when you search for online casinos in the USA, you expect money-related rewards, whereas when you participate in video game tournaments, you expect various prizes and upgrades.
Advantages of Gaming
Contrary to popular belief, there are several psychological and physical advantages of playing video games. Also, video games can promote healthy living as long as you do it in moderation.
One significant benefit of video games is mental stimulation. When you play video games, almost every part of your brain is working. With that said, different degrees of complexity requires you to strategize, analyze quickly or think hard.
Additionally, another benefit of video games is that it boosts your self-confidence. When you reach your goal in the game, you feel accomplished, which improves your overall mood.
Finally, games that you play with people and online games are good for improving social interaction. Multiplayer games encourage cooperation and allow you to make relationships with new people.
Harmful Effects of Gaming
While there are a lot of benefits to gaming, it’s not a risk-free hobby. Playing games for hours and hours on a regular basis isn’t good for your mental and physical health.
Gaming for prolonged hours can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and cause vision problems. Also, sitting in the same position for hours can cause soreness and stiffness, which could lead to chronic back problems in the long run.
Finally, people who play video games for hours are more prone to migraines since gaming requires a lot of concentration.