10 Reasons Why Playing Video Games Is Good For Your Brain and Body

People always complain that they cannot associate a healthy lifestyle without struggling. To choose what is right for their body, they always have to kill their desires and put themselves out of their comfort zones.

But what if we convince you that you can not only help your body but even your mind within the comfort of your sofa and a controller in your hand? Yes, you read that, right! Long gone are the days when video gamers were taunted to be couch potatoes.

So, we bring you a treasure chest, an arsenal of reasons that you can choose to shut down anyone who claims to be fitter than you, just because they jog and you play videogames. Playing video games helps you in the following ways:

1. Develops curiosity that helps brain growth

Our brain continually needs something to keep it engaged to unveil its complete potential. For this reason, people easily give up on anything that they feel is boring.

Video games are lucky in this aspect. The interesting maps and hardships that gamers come across help them to use their brains constantly. This helps in brain growth and never ceases to excite them.

2. Keeps the body fit

People might argue that playing video games is one of the sole reasons for gamers being unfit. Well, how about games like Dance Dance Revolution, which involves active dance. How about playing and shedding some pounds at the same time?

So you can opt for games with physical activity involvement and stay fit and healthy while enjoying your leisure hours.

3. Solve and evolve

Research by the American Psychological Association in 2013 depicted that kids who played strategy video games had improved problem-solving abilities. This ultimately enabled them to score grades higher than usual. The reason lies in the fact that when gamers solve high-end puzzles, they make strategies. For example, the game Spot the Patterns by Unlimited Gamez Mo is a good cognitive training game that helps you predict the next object based on the previous pattern. This strategy definitely polishes the player’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

4. Increases the will

According to research carried out by Hwang and Lu, stories embedded in active video games encouraged kids to play longer and more vigorously. This proves that video games even subconsciously promote dynamic physical activity. So why not let your kids play video games? All they do is help them stay active.

5. Helps with dyslexia

Some research papers support that attention difficulty is a key factor contributing to dyslexia. A study revealed that people with dyslexia improved their reading skills following sessions of games, being vigorous and aggressive! The prime reason, researchers believe, is that the games have constantly changing environments that require intense focus. So basically, if someone is getting changed environments and scenes, their concentration gets better. And if their attention gets better, dyslexia gets better!

6. Helps you in becoming a historian

As most of the games have a historical background, people playing such games develop a significant interest in it. This encourages gamers to read about it even more and inquire relevantly.

So not only do some video games give you a history lesson, but they also spark a fire of interest for the subject.

7. Acts as stress busters

There is no doubt in the fact that today’s life is as hectic as it gets, and every once in a while, people want to skip the harsh realities of life and be in control of a whole different universe. Well, this is what video games can offer you. They allow you to keep your stresses aside and choose an alternate reality. Not only do they help you in gaining mental peace, but they also offer you a shift of focus. This, in turn, helps increase efficiency and aids in achieving targets with a fresh mind.

8. Sclerosis? I DON’T THINK SO!

Sclerosis is an illness affecting multiple nerves. Multiple Sclerosis patients often face problems in their balance. Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no medication that has proved to be beneficial. However, one study showed that MS patients who played games requiring physical interaction while standing on a balance board displayed improvement afterwards. Hence, playing such games is definitely what can help patients. So here you go, video games are helping you flex a bit of those muscles and fight terminal illnesses.

9. Video games take care of the crave game

Players with a history of indulging in overeating, smoking, or drinking might be best treated by getting a controller instead. A study by Science Daily revealed that Playing Tetris for as little as three minutes can weaken cravings for drugs, food, and activities by one-fifth. The reason again is that it helps you take off your concentration from the stressors. Players are so indulged in the games and the detailed planning, that at times, they forget about their desires and habits too.

10. Gray matters!

As discussed earlier, gaming is really like an extensive workout for your brain cloaked as a rich source of entertainment. According to Business Insider, playing video games regularly may increase grey matter in the brain and boost brain connectivity. Your reflexes get sharper, you analyze things quicker, and your actions are calculated precisely. But what is this Gray Matter? Basically, grey matter is associated with muscle control, memories, perception, and spatial navigation. All of these things, when combined together, can give drastic changes. So if you’re literally looking for a way to grow your brain, grab a controller!

Parting Thoughts

In conclusion, we can very comfortably accept the fact that in the present era, video games can be proved to be a blessing, provided they are kept in check. After all, excess of anything can be troublesome.

There have been many kinds of research which prove that video games help to keep the gamer’s body and mind in harmony. For your healthy well-being, playing games can be a game-changer itself!

So if you ever feel tired, stressed or, let’s say, just Sick, you know you need a gaming console more than some medicines!

About the author

Audrey Throne has an ongoing affair with the words that capture readers’ attention. Her passion for writing dates back to her pre-blogging days. She loves to share her thoughts related to business, technology, health and fashion.

Find her on Twitter: @audrey_throne

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Tags: Gaming, Guest Post