How Gaming Adds Value to the Lives of Players

When you’re gaming the last thing you’re thinking about is the psychological or even social benefits of what you are doing. You’re probably thinking practical things such as how you’re going to win the game and rack up those points.

You’re probably also thinking about how you can make your gaming area as comfortable as possible so that you can be able to play with ease. However, the impact of gaming can be very positive in many different ways.

Below we will look at some of the good gaming does for players.

Cognitive Development

Gaming is an amazing way for youngsters to improve their cognitive abilities. It’s a great way to encourage them to do problem-solving and improve their memory and even their attention.

There is even talk that it improves their spatial awareness as well. The reason for this is that many games require the gamer to strategize and plan how they are going to win and execute their play.

They must adapt to new challenges and this stimulates the brain and helps to drive critical thinking skills. If you think your kids are not learning anything while they’re playing, all these different games think again.

Improved Motor Skills

Take a look at what is happening to your hands when you are playing video games. Also take a look at your kids and when they are managing video games as well.

If you look closely you’ll see that it is great for developing hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. There are some games that require fast movements and quick reactions.

This is especially beneficial for children who have problems with their motor skills and have difficulty holding tools such as crayons and pencils. Therapy time may be cut in half simply by allowing them to play video games.

Stress Relief

Life can leave you feeling a lot of stress, as soon as you climb one mountain you might feel as if you’re struggling to climb up another. It can feel as if you’re always on a slippery slope.

You need something that you can escape into. Video games are great for escapism and at least for helping you to go off into an alternate world.

It is a serious stress reliever. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Having something into which you can at least forget your problems for a while and be transported to another place is a great way for you to unwind.

It’s no secret to researchers that gaming can release happy hormones and this can leave you feeling a little bit better about life in general.

The interesting thing is that it’s not just video games that cause this euphoric feeling. Playing card games online such as solitaire and any others that you prefer can have a similar impact.

Imagination and Creativity

One of the things that video games encourage is creativity and imagination. It’s impossible not to open your mind to a whole new world of exploration when you are playing a game.

There are so many ways in which a player can express themselves creatively. Those who are deeply involved in games will start creating artwork inside games, and even designing things at different levels. There is so much that can be done it is impossible to walk away without feeling as if you are capable of creating.

It’s hard not to feel those exhilarating waves of accomplishment wash over your entire body when you see what you have done with your own hands.

Social Interaction

If you like to socialize but don’t want to leave your house then gaming is one of the best ways to do that. Games give opportunities for people to interact and connect with others even from a distance.

The good news is it’s also a great way for you to come together with your friends and family as well. It’s not all about meeting those strangers from around the world although this is also a great way to improve your social skills.

The image of a gamer locked up in their house gaming all day and not having any interaction is not quite accurate. Online gaming communities have the psychological benefits of making people feel less alone even if they are living by themselves or in isolated places.

Continued Learning

Another great benefit of gaming is that it does not allow you to throw learning out the window. You’re always going to be learning a new skill, concept or mechanics. It encourages the brain to keep ticking.

This is why gaming is so beneficial, especially for younger children, those with cognitive problems and even the elderly.

If you want to keep your mind hopping, gaming is one of the best ways to do so.

Resilience and Persistence

Resilience and persistence are real-life skills that just about anybody needs to have to succeed. Your children need it when they go to school in order for them not to give up when things get a bit tough.

This could be academically or otherwise. What they are learning while they are gaming is that they should find creative methods to solve their problems and not cave into them.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find any child who’s not willing to persevere and be resilient especially if they are trying to rack up points.

It’s not just kids who are benefiting from this, as an adult you probably see how you benefit from this as well when you play video games. You want to push through no matter what enemies are trying to defeat you and throw you down.

You will be determined to get to the next level. Even if you don’t win one day you will be back again trying to get there another day. What you are inadvertently teaching yourself is that you need to persevere to achieve. You might find this mentality creeping into other areas of your life as well.

Be a Part of Something Bigger

When you game you will have a chance to become a part of a larger community. There are many events that you can go to in person that will help foster that sense of community.

While you may have it online and that is great, getting the chance to go to conventions and tournaments to meet other fans who are enthusiastic is a great way for you to ease isolation and improve your mental health.

Don’t shy away from these events if you are an avid fan. The sense of community and camaraderie that you will feel when you get into close proximity to those who share the experiences you have inside the game will help you to feel great about your passion.

Events like these are amazing because they give back in many cases to the wider community. Some of the events you may go to include charity events and fundraisers that are put on by the gaming community.

Let the Games Begin

With all the benefits that have been looked at here, it’s not too hard to see what a gamer will experience from playing, it’s impossible to believe that gaming is just for slackers or kids who have nothing better to do with their time.

The many benefits that it brings into the life of those who are avid fans are undeniable. Take inventory of your interests or those of your loved ones, and then decide which games you want to splurge on to take you to new and euphoric heights.