Playing games has its benefits for a person’s psyche. Here are common positive effects that gamers are known to have.

The Positive Effects of Gaming on Mental Health and Development

Bae Young

Video games are commonly considered a distraction by most adults who aren’t part of its community. The truth is that much research proved that it’s a great activity for developing the mind. Of course, their findings are still situational but the correlation has been common and it’s worth exploring the idea that video games can be beneficial to an individual. 

Mental traits commonly attributed to video gaming include an active brain function, improved mental state, open-mindedness, and a simple mood boost. All of these are great signs of a healthy mind although moderation still must be observed. The best effects come from gamers who limit their activities to 3 hours on average and here are some of the examples. 

Gaming Provides Stimulus to Work Out Brain Activity

Games give the player problems to solve and challenges to overcome with no other incentives besides progress. It can be in reaching a new level in a rogue-lite, beating a boss in an action game, or simply 

s from a Mines casino game. The skills they develop include the following:

Planning - the ability to consider options that will best lead to completing an objective and preparing a solution for hypothetical obstructions. 

-Adaptability - the capacity to recover momentum after a setback or revelation of an unplanned variable 

-Reflex - the physical capability to respond to immediate danger 

-Anticipation - the skill to foresee a potential instance that needs a quick reaction

-Communication - the aptitude for relaying information to a teammate and cooperation with strangers for the sake of completing an objective

These are all necessary traits and skills that can help a person perform well in real life. They can be displayed at school, at work, and even in social situations which they would otherwise not be prepared for by conventional means. Thus, a gamer can be a high-functioning individual, especially in a team-oriented environment. 

Gaming Offers an Albeit Simulated Sense of Tangible Progression

People who experience depression often attribute their hopelessness to the lack of momentum or change in their lives. An example is someone who puts so much effort into their career but ends up ignored, unrewarded, or unsuccessful in their field. Video games provide a virtual simulation of progression that can be rewarding in its own right.

Video games offer challenges for players to overcome. They are sometimes paired with stories to uncover, stronger enemies to beat, or even as simple as a higher score to surpass. Accomplishments from games are often rewarded with a change in their virtual character’s life. Many find this small sense of progression enough to supplement their frustrations in reality.

That said, it’s still a common trap for addiction among gamers. Many will trade their time out of their real life for the sake of spending more of it in a game. Thus, opening the opportunity to learn how to balance life between life and playtime. All it takes is a sense of moderation and motivation to get through the day as well as having other responsibilities to commit to.

Gaming Simulates Experiences that are Similar to Real Life

Games offer more than just enjoyment for gamers because it has also become a 

. Thus, various human experiences that an individual would otherwise never encounter can be simulated through an interactive medium. Such important experiences that one can miss include the following:

All four experiences are typically only encountered in extreme situations. Joy and sorrow require emotional investment in a highly anticipated outcome and games can guarantee its fulfilment. Frustration and fear are emotions that should be avoided but they can be vital in one’s personal development. Being exposed to them prepares the individual for real experiences. 

Gaming Boosts the Mood of the Player no Matter the Situation

The most important help video games give players is one that most people already know about and that’s having fun. Video games are a great source of entertainment and the level of challenge depends on the preferences of a player. 

Some will prefer easy games where one solves a puzzle or breeze through the story. Others enjoy discovering new details about their favourite characters. There are also people who love competing against other players and seeing how far their skills have improved. People can also enjoy winning rewards, some of which are in real cash like from 

Whichever an individual’s sense of fun may be, a video game is a good source of entertainment. Completing challenges, reaching new levels, and trying out new experiences can be fun even if it’s ultimately a virtual experience. These are moments that help a player get by and it’s a precious experience that is worth trying for everyone. 

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