Why Is It Good To Play Video Games?

Hand-Eye CoordinationSlide 1 of 11

Many people think of video games as harmful or a waste of time, but gaming actually has a number of benefits. Keep reading to learn the positive effects of video games!

One of the most obvious benefits from playing games is improved hand-eye coordination. Doing any task repeatedly will improve some type of ability, which includes mashing buttons and moving thumbsticks. It's been proven that hand and finger movements are more precise after playing games. Reaction times and spatial reasoning skills also improve.

TeamworkSlide 2 of 11

A common theme in video games is working together with others to accomplish a common goal. While real world problems aren't as grand as saving the world from evil, the teamwork skills acquired from gaming are still very valuable. In fact, some people are even beginning to list leadership experience from video game clans when applying for jobs.

Critical ThinkingSlide 3 of 11

Teaching people how to think isn't an easy job, but video games are one of the best methods for improving critical thinking skills. The puzzles contained in video games can be extremely complex, as they were designed by teams of professionals. To overcome all of a game's challenges, the brain is pushed to its limit, and the player becomes better at thinking quickly and rationally.

Stress ReductionSlide 4 of 11

Life is stressful. After a long day of dealing with traffic, work, and bills, you need to find a healthy way to escape and relax. The satisfying nature of video games makes them the perfect outlet for stress, as you typically receive instant gratification for doing a task. It doesn't hurt that you usually get to blow a few things up, too.

Good SportsmanshipSlide 5 of 11

In a modern society that's increasingly afraid to introduce the concept of "losing" to children, video games teach a more realistic view on life. If you don't perform well, you're going to lose. The amazing thing about gamers, though, is their resilience. Gamers quickly come to understand the joy of victory and agony of defeat. They say "good game" and then jump right into another match.

Social SkillsSlide 6 of 11

Most gamers tend to sit alone in a dark rooms, so you're probably wondering how that could possibly improve their social skills. The truth is that the friendly virtual game environment makes it easier to talk and interact with strangers. Scientific studies have shown that introverts and loners can actually overcome many of their social fears through gaming!

Pain ReliefSlide 7 of 11

The next time you stub your toe or get a paper cut, maybe you should try reaching for a video game controller instead of the aspirin. The highly immersive nature of games causes the brain to forget about the pain. In addition to the distraction factor, scientists suggest that games may even completely change how the brain reacts to pain.

Self EsteemSlide 8 of 11

This one should be fairly obvious. The only reason we play games is because they are fun to play, and they're fun to play because they make us feel good about ourselves. Even though it's a virtual world, games give us a very important sense of purpose and accomplishment. We can easily accomplish things in a game that we can't in real life, and that helps to boost self-esteem.

KnowledgeSlide 9 of 11

You might be surprised to learn just how much factual information is crammed into a fictional video game. The best part is that this information is taught in a fun manner and it's picked up subliminally along the way. Even violent shooters are full of interesting information, such as world geography or military terminology.

Navigation SkillsSlide 10 of 11

If you're ever lost and don't have a GPS, just ask a gamer for help. Video game players have been trained to read and use maps since day one, so they are ingrained with an amazing sense of direction. If you have a map, a gamer will get you anywhere you need to go. Even without a map, they'll be able to draw on their experience and come up with a decent solution.