Playing Video Games Can Benefit Your Health
PLAYING VIDEO GAMES CAN BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH
Video games are popular products that are enjoyed by a great number of people, but criticized by many others. One of the most common debates about gaming involves the impacts it may have on players’ health. While the majority of people believe the impacts to be negative, from my perspective, video games can significantly benefit your emotional, physical and mental well-being.
First of all, playing video games is an effective way to relieve stress and depression. In a survey by PopCap Games in 2006, 88% of gamers mentioned substantial stress reduction as their main motive for playing (Games Industry International, 2006). Needless to say, games in general all aim to bring their players an enjoyable and satisfactory experience, take their minds off daily exhaustion and help them vent their anger or frustration. According to Vanstone (n.d.), gaming can decrease the level of stress-inducing hormones by as much as 17% and the popular puzzle game Bejeweled alone can reduce fatigue by 54%. Furthermore, video games have the potential to cure illnesses like chronic depression or autism. They can lift patients’ spirits and evoke positive feelings. A 2012 study by the University of Utah showed that after playing certain games, children diagnosed with such disorders experienced evident improvements in “resilience, empowerment and a fighting spirit” (Gallagher, 2013). Without doubt, gaming is a solution for people with both short term and long term emotional issues.
In the second place, electronic games create a chance for people to improve physical dexterity. For a start, they can train players to have quick reflexes and fast responses. Some games, especially those of the action genre, simulate real life situations where players have to act quickly and constantly. Others, such as puzzle and strategy games, have timed modes that directly pose challenges to players’ reaction speed. As a result, gamers’ reactions are reported
Video games are popular products that are enjoyed by a great number of people, but criticized by many others. One of the most common debates about gaming involves the impacts it may have on players’ health. While the majority of people believe the impacts to be negative, from my perspective, video games can significantly benefit your emotional, physical and mental well-being.
First of all, playing video games is an effective way to relieve stress and depression. In a survey by PopCap Games in 2006, 88% of gamers mentioned substantial stress reduction as their main motive for playing (Games Industry International, 2006). Needless to say, games in general all aim to bring their players an enjoyable and satisfactory experience, take their minds off daily exhaustion and help them vent their anger or frustration. According to Vanstone (n.d.), gaming can decrease the level of stress-inducing hormones by as much as 17% and the popular puzzle game Bejeweled alone can reduce fatigue by 54%. Furthermore, video games have the potential to cure illnesses like chronic depression or autism. They can lift patients’ spirits and evoke positive feelings. A 2012 study by the University of Utah showed that after playing certain games, children diagnosed with such disorders experienced evident improvements in “resilience, empowerment and a fighting spirit” (Gallagher, 2013). Without doubt, gaming is a solution for people with both short term and long term emotional issues.
In the second place, electronic games create a chance for people to improve physical dexterity. For a start, they can train players to have quick reflexes and fast responses. Some games, especially those of the action genre, simulate real life situations where players have to act quickly and constantly. Others, such as puzzle and strategy games, have timed modes that directly pose challenges to players’ reaction speed. As a result, gamers’ reactions are reported
Bibliography: Computer gamers 'have reactions of pilots but bodies of chain smokers '. (2010). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7808860/Computer-gamers-have-reactions-of-pilots-but-bodies-of-chain-smokers.html Dobnik, V. (2004). Surgeons may err less by playing video games. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4685909/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/surgeons-may-err-less-playing-video-games/#.UaI5odKnq-k Gallagher, D. (2013). 7 health benefits of playing video games. Retrieved from http://theweek.com/article/index/241121/7-health-benefits-of-playing-video-games Games Industry International. (2006). Survey: Casual computer games as TV replacement. Retrieved from http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/survey-casual-computer-games-as-tv-replacement-players-average-48-years-of-age-seek-relaxation-and-mental-exercise-from-games-largest-ever-survey-of-casual-game-players-yields-surprising-data Hotz, R. L. (2012). When gaming is good for you. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203458604577263273943183932.html Vanstone, E. (n.d.). Play PS3, upgrade yourself. Men’s Health. Retrieved from http://www.menshealth.co.uk/healthy/brain-training/Play-PS3-upgrade-yourself-2