In the past, gaming was looked on as a junky, brain-cell-killing activity for kids. Today, however, is a new day. Not only do millions of kids in the U.S. use gaming as a helpful way to reduce stress, sharpen cognitive skills, and have fun, adults are also in on the fun. As gaming becomes more acceptable in the mainstream, many adults are asking about the connections between gaming and your health. It’s no wonder. But when it comes to gaming, is spending time at your favorite austin arcade really worth the time and money? New health studies say yes. Here are just a few shocking health benefits of gaming.
Help with Coordination
There’s a difference between vegging out in front of the TV and engaging in a competitive, multiplayer game. Even if a kid is just playing by themselves, there are considerable coordination skills that go into playing a game, especially if a kid is interested in getting better at it. Not only will games help create a cause-and-effect relationship between setting goals and meeting them, using coordination skills to achieve goals and reach ever-changing targets could help kids transition into adulthood more easily, especially if they’re considering going into a field that requires a lot of quick problem-solving.
Sharpened Decision-Making Skills
Gaming involves a high risk-reward threshold. When we achieve a high score or complete a level, the pleasure centers of our brains light up, creating the need to accomplish even more difficult goals. So why is this so important in the context of gaming and childhood development? Having fast, sharp decision-making skills can help kids and adults apply logic more easily and cleanly to everyday situations. This won’t just help out in the world of gaming, where the difference between thinking quickly and taking one’s time can feel like a life-or-death decision, it can bring sharp decision-making skills to bear in the workplace.
Memory Enhancement
Strangely enough, gaming can help with muscle memory. Since many games are long, complex, and involve many different characters, levels, and story arcs, the same ability to memorize, follow instructions, and remember crucial key combinations that help win levels and stay alive in the world of a specific game can help with other areas of learning, especially for kids who are audio-visual learners rather than rote memory learners.
Brain Food
In case you didn’t know it, there are plenty of games out there that use the same risk-reward formula to help kids learn about subjects like math, science, grammar, and vocabulary enhancement. Even if your kid is only interested in playing games for fun, the gaming format can be an excellent way to introduce new topics or areas of learning both at school and at home.
Helps with Social Skills
The stereotype of the shut-in gamer is obsolete and dated. Today, multiplayer games, along with gaming forums and communities, are vital in helping socialize kids and young adults. Games can be great for helping socially awkward kids find a way to fit in, especially if they’re struggling in school.
