Video games have been around since the early ’70s, and they’ve evolved through the decades. Today, you can find all kinds of different games on your smartphone or computer. There are casual games for when you just want to relax and spend a few minutes playing, as well as more hardcore games for when you want to exercise your brain and test your skills. You might be wondering if there are any hidden benefits of playing an online game. Well, yes there are. In fact, video games have tons of hidden benefits that go beyond just making you a better player in the game.
More self-confidence
Have you ever felt really shy around new people? Maybe you’re shy in school or with your crush, or maybe you’re just shy around anyone you don’t know very well. Even if you don’t think you’re shy, it’s likely that you’re self-conscious. Self-confidence is something that most people struggle with. While self-confidence is important, it’s especially important for online gamers. Online gaming is a social activity. You have to talk to other people online. You have to interact with other gamers. If you’re shy, then you’re going to have a much harder time doing any of these things. If you don’t have a lot of confidence, you might feel really uncomfortable talking to other gamers. You might feel really awkward when you try to communicate with someone else in the game. Online games are, for the most part, a really passive activity. You put your headset on and you’re playing the game. There aren’t a lot of rules about how you interact with other people. You could be totally friendly and talk to other people, but there aren’t any real consequences for how you act.
Better critical thinking skills
In our everyday lives, we sometimes run into situations where we don’t have all of the information we need to make a decision. In these situations, being able to think critically is a huge asset. Online games can be very challenging, but they also help you develop skills that will help you in everyday life, too. To be able to think critically is something that’s really important, both in and out of gaming. Many people feel like they don’t have the skills to be able to operate in today’s world. They feel like they have to have some sort of magic wand to solve all of their problems. This isn’t true, though. Being able to think critically is a really important skill that can help you figure out how to solve your problems.
A sense of accomplishment
Before you go and play your next online game, take a moment to appreciate what you did in your last game. There’s actually something really interesting about how you feel after you finish a game. After you finish a game, you might feel really accomplished. You might even feel like you “beat” the game. You might even feel like you “solved” the game. This is something that I’ve noticed and that I think is really cool.
Better communication and collaboration
Video games have been around for a long time, and they’ve evolved a lot over time. Today, there are more casual games that can be played on your phone or computer. Most casual games can be played online, so they can be a great way to practice your communication and collaboration skills. Most video games, even casual ones, can be a great way to practice your communication and collaboration skills. As you play, you might find that you have to talk to other people. You might need to collaborate with other people if you want to solve a problem in the game. These are skills that are really important for everyday life.
Less stress and anxiety
Video games can be really relaxing, especially if you play on an app like World of Warcraft or an online role-playing game (RPG). Online RPGs are especially good for helping you lower your stress levels. There’s a ton of evidence that shows how great it feels to relax and de-stress. This can be really beneficial for your mental health and your personal relationships.
Game on!
There are tons of hidden benefits to playing an online game, and they can be a ton of fun. If you’re worried that you don’t have a lot of friends or you don’t know anyone in your town, then playing an online game might be a good way to socialize. Online games are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. If you want to improve your communication and collaboration skills or your stress levels, then playing an online game is a great option. There are a ton of hidden benefits to playing an online game. If you play, you might be surprised at how much fun it is.
Zuella Montemayor did her degree in psychology at the University of Toronto. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
