The Psychological Benefits of Gaming According to Latest Researches
In recent decades, digital gaming has definitely become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. For some, gaming serves as a refuge from the everyday stress of life, while for others, it fosters a profound sense of community and belongingness. Regardless of the motivation behind their gaming, one thing is certain: it brings immense joy and connection.
With these positive effects some gamers experience when gaming, it makes one wonder about the extent of psychological benefits one can get from gaming. How can gaming positively affect gamers on a cognitive and emotional level? Below, let us explore the various psychological benefits gaming can provide to gamers.
Cognitive Benefits of Gaming
Gaming, as a popular form of leisure activity, has attracted people’s attention in recent years. Although there are numerous studies highlighting the negative effects of gaming, it may come as a surprise that gaming also offers several valuable benefits.
Contrary to common belief that playing online games or video games makes one lazy and intellectually sedating, recent studies show that playing these games actually promotes a wide range of cognitive skills.
- Enhance Critical Thinking Skills
Believe it or not, gaming can enhance one’s critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is an integral skill required in many common activities. This skill is essential in analyzing information and deducing and inferring conclusions from it in both personal and professional contexts.
Accordingly, many online games, particularly puzzles and strategy-based RPG (Role-playing game) ones, encourage gamers to engage in critical thinking, thereby fostering the development of this essential skill. Depending on the mechanics, games engage gamers to assess situations, formulate strategies, and adapt to changing rules to succeed. This cognitive engagement can be beneficial in the real world, especially when gamers encounter real-world situations that require them to apply a more analytical mindset.
- Improves Attention and Focus
Another cognitive benefit of gaming is that it has the ability to improve one’s attention span and focus. Paying attention and the ability to focus are critical skills one needs to properly process information, especially in time-limited situations.
Many online games are designed to present gamers with challenges that require sustained attention. Depending on the complexity of the game, it can require one to concentrate against either enemy movements or multiple gaming objectives.
- Reduces Mental Decline
Aside from enhancing critical thinking skills and increasing attention span and focus, gaming can also help in reducing mental decline.
According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Aging, exposure to novel experiences and rich, three-dimensional movements may help improve cognition. This is crucial information especially for the aging population that are homebound and are unable to experience a wide variety of new environments.
As such, introducing video games and online gaming to seniors may help them combat aging-induced cognitive health decline.
Emotional Benefits of Gaming
Aside from cognitive benefits, gaming also becomes an essential tool for people who are finding ways to cope with stress and anxiety. Accordingly, gaming may even be among the most efficient and effective means by which children and youth generate positive feelings.
- Escapism Through Immersive Virtual Worlds
When work becomes mundane and life becomes a bore, there are times when one just would want to run away and start a new life; but doing so in reality is not feasible and impractical.
To cope with boredom, most people turn to playing online games to experience the immersive narratives of expansive worlds. By playing online games, gamers get to embark on epic quests and interact with unique characters, providing a thrilling escape from daily life.
Playing games, even for just several hours, helps people renew their outlook on life, fostering a sense of joy and accomplishment.
- Stress Relief and Relaxation
Aside from providing a much-needed escape, playing online games also provides relaxation and relief from stress.
Positive emotions are the bedrock for exceptional well-being, and playing games can provide these positive emotions. A study conducted by Oxford University (2024) revealed that some of the most intense positive emotional experiences are triggered in the context of playing video games.
Immersing oneself in an online game offers a much-needed break, providing the mental space to unwind. Accordingly, gamers often report reduced levels of anxiety and stress after a session of gaming. The act of focusing on gaming even for a temporary time, allows individuals to forget their worries, promoting relaxation.
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- Handling Emotions Through Gaming Experiences
Lastly, gaming also helps individuals in improving their ability to handle various ranges of emotions.
In gaming, a lot can happen which can elicit a variety of emotions from gamers. This can foster emotional resilience helping gamers in coping with setbacks within a safe context. Additionally, it also teaches gamers not to be complacent and to celebrate especially when it seems they are winning because their opponents may do the unthinkable and take away the lead from them.
Such experiences promote a growth mindset, equipping gamers with the skills to face challenges in real life in either personal or professional scenarios.
Final Thoughts
While online gaming is still recognized for the risks it poses, it is essential to recognize that this activity can provide psychological benefits.
From improved cognitive skills to enhancing emotional resilience, gaming offers a wealth of advantages which they can use in real-life situations. So, the next time you see someone playing online games, remember that they are not wasting time, but instead, they are simply engaging in a complex form of entertainment where they can improve their cognitive skills and emotional resilience.