7 Reasons Why Gaming is Good for You

If you think that gaming is nothing but a time-waster, I’m here to tell you that you couldn’t be more wrong! Gaming can actually be an incredibly positive thing in your life, especially if you do it the right way (and there’s a wrong way to do it too). Here are seven reasons why gaming can actually be good for you...

Improves Teamwork

i love playing with friends and getting together to play some of my favorite games. It’s a great way to bond with people, and it’s especially fun when you win! Teamwork makes all of that possible, which is why I think gaming improves teamwork. When you play video games with other people, you have to work together in order to succeed. If you want your team to win, then everyone has to do their part and contribute in some way.

Develops Mathematical Skills

According to a study by RTI International published in The Journal of Special Education Technology, children who play video games score significantly higher than non-gamers on math tests. Games are one more way that kids can develop their mathematical skills. One major reason why kids who play regularly perform better on tests is because they’re exposed to numbers and symbols in an interactive environment that helps them remember what they’ve learned when it comes time to take a test.

Improves Problem Solving Skills

Video games are, at their heart, puzzles that you have to solve. Each new game presents a unique challenge—how do I get past Level 4 without getting killed?—and if you can figure it out, you’re rewarded with some form of digital trophy or ribbon. Over time, you’ll be able to apply these same problem-solving skills to your real life. Are there challenges at work that need solving? Is someone standing in your way? Figure it out and see what happens!

Increases Hand-Eye Coordination

Next time you catch yourself playing a game that’s a little too difficult, keep in mind that it’s helping your brain work. What do we mean? Games like PUBG or Destiny have real-world applications because they force you to master hand-eye coordination. These types of games make your brain think quickly on its feet and take action with more accuracy than ever before. It’s no wonder why gamers can respond so quickly to social media posts or emails!

Enhances Agility

The skills required to master a game transfer beautifully to life. It teaches us to be patient and thoughtful; we have to think before acting, and there’s no instant payoff in gaming. Games also help make us more agile: if you want to be really good at a shooter, for example, you have to learn how best to change your tactics on-the-fly based on what’s happening around you.

Exercises Your Brain

Playing video games isn’t just a great way to unwind after a stressful day. Researchers have found that frequent gaming can actually improve cognitive skills and reduce mental decline in older adults, so much so that many are now recommending it as a viable alternative to activities like reading or doing crossword puzzles to keep your mind sharp and stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Unleashes Creativity

Video games often allow you to explore different worlds and express yourself in ways that other mediums don’t. PubG, for example, allows you to build structures and fortify your surroundings as part of a multiplayer survival game—and it’s one of 2018’s most popular games for a reason. Best of all, gamers are an extremely social bunch who love sharing stories from their game experiences! So pick up a controller and unleash your creativity!