Are video games good for us?

Dear Gamer,

Are video games good for us?

Well, a study done by brain researchers published in 2019 says that 80% of gamers feel that video games improve their mental health and boost relaxation. Depending on the difficulty, some video games require quick analysis and processing which can help improve critical thinking skills. As gamers we all know that sense of satisfaction when we complete a level or an entire game, that positive feeling can benefit your overall well-being. Trying to accomplish a specific goal is also good for your self-confidence. Playing video games can also aid in trauma recovery, gamers with mental disorders can experience improvement through video games. Multiplayer games help to increase and improve social interactions. Even failing in a game can be good because it can help you cope with failure and teach you to be resilient. 

While there are many positive benefits to playing video games, it’s important that we also look at the dark side. Dedicated gamers spending too much time gaming say they often experience anxiety, stress, and depression. The pressure of wanting to win can cause them to suffer from ‘Imposter Syndrome’ which is the fear of being seen as a failure. Excessive gaming can lead to negative mental health. A study in 2018 showed that 89% of gamers with a gaming addiction were diagnosed with depression. When gamers play too often, they are more likely to care less about the other parts of their lives and build unhealthy habits. Ultimately, gamers who are turning to video games to relieve feelings of depression can end up worsening those feelings by developing bad habits through excessive play.

Video games can be beneficial if you create a healthy balance. That balance can be created by setting a time limit on how long you play and schedule time for other activities and priorities. Finding time to game with friends is also a good way to game in a healthy manner. Creating balance by also making sure to mix physical activity into your gaming time, by taking walks or stretching. In addition, make sure you aren’t gaming until late hours of the night because sleep deprivation is not good for anyone. For gamers of all ages and backgrounds I challenge you to evaluate how often you game and make sure you take time to explore the real world and people around you.

Until next time, don’t forget to #KickTheDay every day.

Author:

Danté Jefferson

10th Grade Gamer 

Currently Playing: Batman Arkham Knight & DragonBall Fighterz

(All Consoles) GamerTag: CrymsonWing

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SOURCES:

https://wellbeings.org/the-impact-of-gaming-on-mental-health/ 

https://gamequitters.com/how-gaming-affects-your-mental-health/ 

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-video-games 

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-to-make-video-games-healthier

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826942/#