Video games are basically interactive books. They have characters, a storyline, a plot, and even a genre (usually science fiction and fantasy cross-over). Not to mention, you can help decide where the story will go and how it will end. Many worry that video games can be become addictive or promote violence, which can be true according to the content that you engage with. However, there are several benefits that come with playing video games. There are even some video games designed to help fight metal illnesses. So if you don't currently play video games, here's what you're missing out on.
When you play video games you often have the option of choosing certain dialogues over other ones and when a wave of enemy forces comes crashing down you have to choose according to your game plan; how best to complete the mission. According to Psychology Today, it is in these situations, especially the split-second decisions made under pressure, that help us to develop better skills in decision making and problem solving. Trying to manage an army, look for enemy targets, and keep an eye on your resources also helps you to practice managing multiple tasks simultaneously, which leads to an increase in mental flexibility with minimal errors. This increase can be especially beneficial and appreciated in the workplace.
Practicing these mental skills can begin to become important to your mental health. It's common knowledge that as you get older you mind and body begin to fail you. However, playing video games has been shown to help the elderly with memory, reasoning, and their attention spans. Video games have also been used to help treat diseases ranging from lazy eye to depression. In fact, the game SuperBetter was invented by Jane McGonigal because turning life into a video game-like world helped her to fight her own depression. In her Ted Talk, she tells us about how accomplishing little tasks, like getting a glass of water or tying her shoe (+10 exp), helped her to feel like she was getting somewhere (+500 exp). Thus, she managed to find her life getting easier to navigate, she felt like she had goals to accomplish, it began to give her a purpose and a reason to do the things she did.
Practice does make perfect, so with all this good news comes a warning. Careful what you practice. Practicing acting on violence in your head will lead you to act on violence physically because you have gotten into the mind-set of this practice. Enjoy your fun and games, and improved mental abilities, but make sure what you improve these things with, is something you want in your life.
