Video games are on the rise, which is now clearer than ever. With all the advancements in technology, more and more people have the chance to enjoy playing games on their devices, either as a means of entertainment or workout for the mind.
If, until now, individuals perceived video games only as an escape method or even “a waste of time”, their incredible benefits are now brought to light. Gaming is much more than just sitting in front of a computer and playing with a console – it turned out to be even a possible career. And trust us, the rewards are plenty.
Contrary to certain beliefs, such as gaming would lead to violence, aggression, and addiction, playing video games with a limit proves beneficial for your health and social life. If you don’t know the advantages of gaming yet, don’t worry – you’re in the right place.
This article explores some proven benefits of playing video games. Whether you’re an avid gamer or just discovered this exciting virtual world, it’s worth to know them:
Helps with dyslexia
According to Current Biology, playing video games may help kids with dyslexia enhancing their speed and accuracy in reading. This is encouraging, given the large number of children suffering from this learning disability. People with dyslexia have problems comprehending what they’re reading mainly because they cannot focus properly. With video games, especially those having constantly changing environments, their brains are trained to cope with long and detailed text. So, it would be good to promote gaming in your home, especially if your children have dyslexia.
Makes new social connections
The digital world is often believed to promote antisocial behaviour, but it’s not always true. There are games that also encourage the social aspect of gaming. Playing games usually implies interaction with other players, either through voice chat or text, which will only enhance your communication skills. Besides, it promotes teamwork, as you’re forced to collaborate with other individuals in order to solve the challenging tasks required in a video game. The social aspect of gaming has long been overlooked, but now it’s time to give video games a chance. What is worth knowing is that these don’t resume to just prosocial games – they gained so much in popularity that some schools have formed gaming clubs, encouraging communication between students and helping them make new social connections.
The rise of multi-player experiences has undoubtedly led to a new socialising form, which can only be embraced, given that people, especially youth, have communication problems these days. And don’t think about only virtual communication – video games are an excellent opportunity to make friends in real life, too, as they play the role of catalyst for people to gather face-2-face.
At the workplace, video games seem to have their role, too. It’s even recommended for employers to encourage this activity among workers, as they help with communication and collaboration. And let’s be honest – these are vital in a corporation. Employees need to know the power of teamwork, and this is a great way to instil it in them. Plus, staying connected can improve their relationships in real life, too, since the community built in a virtual setting is pretty much the same.
However, it would be advisable to maintain a balance and avoid spending too much handling a console.
Improves vision
We already know what you’re thinking – how could time spent in front of a computer improve vision? A 2012 study carried out by Daniel Blakely and Timothy Wright states that individuals playing games are more likely to see more detail, particularly in the periphery of their eyesight. It’s as surprising as it’s true – video games are often designed to fight with “enemies” who can appear from nowhere, so you have to focus your attention even in the farthest corners. Now the so-often-heard observation “don’t sit too close to the computer” seems to vanish.
But moderation is the key in every aspect of your life, so be cautious about how much time you spend playing video games. Constant exposure to a digital screen can cause computer vision syndrome (CVS), which manifests through blurry or double vision, eye strain, headaches, dry and irritated eyes. Thus, if you experience any of these symptoms, it would be helpful to seek medical help because, if left untreated, this affection can lead to severe eyesight complications. That’s why it’s highly recommended to take regular breaks when playing video games (going outside and breathing fresh air relaxes your eyes). The 20-20-20 rule effectively alleviates the harmful effects of excessive computer exposure. Consider following this simple exercise of looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
If you work as a professional game tester, you can’t always take regular breaks between work hours. Thus, ensure that your employer creates a comfortable working environment to protect your health. If you somehow happen to get injured while testing video games, it’s helpful to know that there are possibilities to do yourself justice. You can make a claim and get compensation – this will help with the recovery and treatment needed.
Improves problem-solving skills
Gamers are usually sharp-minded individuals, and if you’re wondering why, it’s because games give them the possibility to train their minds. Gaming forces them to deal with certain situations while following some rules. They also have to solve tasks in a specific time; otherwise, the game is over. Games are by no means boring – they involve predicting the adversaries’ actions, weighing risks, and making plans about the next moves. All these improve their problem-solving skills and, as a bonus, multitasking ability. As they pay attention to various aspects at once, they’re likely to strengthen their multitasking skills.
Plus, video games are believed to sharpen decision-making skills. Research suggests that video games positively impact your decision-making ability, as games constantly urge you to react in the wink of an eye. You need to adapt quickly to the new requirements on the screen and have no time to lose lingering.
Have you ever thought that gaming could be so helpful? Here is the proof!
