The Psychological Benefits of Gaming
Gaming has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. I love them for the escape that they provide, including a place to explore and immerse myself in different realities. But beyond the thrill and excitement, I’ve also simply found that gaming offers profound psychological benefits — too often overlooked by those with critical rhetoric.
I know that for many, the idea of gaming conjures images of isolation and wasted time. Research (and personal experience!) actually tell a different story on this though, with gaming today in fact known to enhance cognitive functions and to reduce stress. They’re even known for encouraging social connections with others of similar interests.
One of the most significant psychological benefits of video gaming though, is its ability to enhance problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility. I’m a software engineer by day, so problem-solving is at the core of my profession, and the complex, puzzle-like nature of many games does in fact often mirror the challenges I face in coding.
Games like “The Legend of Zelda” or “Portal” for example, which require strategic thinking and planning, offer particularly useful exercises in mental agility, which sharpen my mind for the real-world problems I deal with in my career.
Games are also well known for their ability to improve spatial awareness and coordination, with this particularly true for action games that require quick reflexes and precise control. The hand-eye coordination developed through gaming thus translating to better multitasking and precision in my work, and I personally find it absolutely fascinating to see how skills honed in a virtual environment can in fact enhance real-life abilities.
Stress relief is then of course another critical benefit of video gaming too, with the immersive nature of games personally allowing me to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, so that after a long week of deadlines (and city chaos!), diving into a game like “Animal Crossing” or “Stardew Valley” is my way of calming — I might even go so far as to describe it as a therapeutic experience because they help lower my anxiety levels as much as they do.
I’ve also had the luck of meeting lots of cool people through gaming. That’s been particularly important in the city for me (I’m from the country originally), because its often meant that I’ve felt less isolated than I otherwise might. Online multiplayer games are particularly good in this way, because they’ve connected me with friends and even strangers worldwide, who share the same kind of interests I do.
Some of my favorites to-date in this way, have been “World of Warcraft” and “Fortnite” which have big online communities and require teamwork. Collaborating on missions or competing in friendly matches provides a social outlet that can be incredibly — and quite suprisingly — fulfilling.
Many games, particularly open-world and sandbox games like “Minecraft,” can also be very useful for encouraging creative expression and experimentation. I don’t tend to play these so much any more, but when I was younger, I was a big fan of building the elaborate structures and designs such games are known for, and I don’t doubt that this creative stimulation has been useful in my later work — inspiring new ideas and innovative ways of thinking about things.
It should be said that because games often also involve overcoming challenges and achieving goals, they can also be great for boosting self-esteem and providing a sense of accomplishment. This resilience also translating into real life, where the confidence gained from in-game successes can help with taking on everyday challenges.
All of this is to say that the next time someone dismisses video gaming as a simple pastime, you’ll know to dismiss such rhetoric for the nonsense that it is. From improving cognitive skills to providing emotional support, the psychological benefits of video gaming are profound and far-reaching. Gaming has truly enriched my own life, and if you’re reading this, I imagine its likely enriched yours too.
