Video games have a bad reputation with people outside of the gaming world. They think that it is the root of issues like isolation, violence, and laziness. However, there are actually benefits to being a gamer, and here are a few of them so you can have a response to naysayers.
1. Improves Hand-to-Eye Coordination
Video games require a level of hand-to-eye coordination in order to get through it. Your hands react when you see certain events or elements on the screen. For instance, you see an enemy attacking so your brain will tell your hands to press the button for blocking.
In fact, a study back in 2014 from the University of Toronto shows that regular gamers have better sensorimotor skills than those who aren't. Improved hand-to-eye coordination will help you learn skills faster like riding a bike, or typing for work.
2. Helps with Decision Making
There are two parts to this matter. There's the quick reaction time you need when playing fast-paced video games, and there are those where you actually need to pick options to progress through the game. Either way, it actually does help you.
For instance, playing FPS games require you to make decisions quickly, as mentioned in Record Head, as being too slow would cause you to lose. Making decisions in games also teaches you about how choices will affect you in the long run, just as it does in games.
3. It Can Positively Affect Your Mood
Of course, this depends on the kind of game you're playing. If you decide to play high-stress games like Call of Duty or Valorant and encounter toxic players, you might find yourself more stressed than when you started the game.
However, there are games that can actually provide you with tranquility. Some of them have mellow graphics, quests, music, themes, and overall gameplay. If you want to relax your mind, you can always opt for video games that can calm you down.
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4. It's Good For Your Perception
If you're a fan of first-person shooter games, then you know that you need to need to be attentive to everything on your screen to make survive. You might not notice it, but you actually start being observant in real life too.
As mentioned in Game Quitters, a 2012 study by Timothy J. Wright and Daniel P. Blakely found that people who play more games pay more attention to details, especially in their peripherals. This can help you with some tasks like driving.
5. It Can Enhance Your Cognitive Abilities
As you know, certain games could require a lot of brain power for you to play. Not only does this keep your brain from being rusty, but it also improves your visuospatial ability, which is when you recognize objects and have the ability to find connections between them.
This can help you make sense of your surroundings as well, such as analyzing a map or finding your way around an area. It could also positively affect your problem-solving skills as you take in all the factors before making a choice.
