We've all heard it before: "Those games of yours are bad for you!" or "Don't sit too close to the TV!" When a lot of older people tend to think of video games, the first thing they usually associate them with is all the bad things it can do to your body, but have you ever stopped to think about the positive effects they can have? Aside from reducing stress and being used as an outlet for creativity, in moderation, video games can have a number of health benefits!
One of the positive effects of video games, and one of the most surprising in my opinion, is the fact that they can actually help improve vision. One study by Daphne Bavelier, a professor at the University of Rochester, has shown that very practiced gamers become 58 percent better at perceiving fine differences in contrast when it comes to the color gray. Though mainly found in gamers who play action-orientated games, it was surprising to find out that just playing a video game enough can slightly improve contrast sensitivity.
Second, believe it or not, video games can actually help people get fit. Wii and Xbox Kinect video games provide a way for gamers and non-gamers alike to get some exercise! Working towards an objective or trying to obtain some in-game points is good motivation for working out!
Another benefit of playing video games is that it can help people develop their social skills. I know what you're thinking, "Aren't gamers pretty antisocial?" Well, sort of. Yes and no. I mean, when it comes to playing a video game with someone for so long, you're bound to develop a friendship. Embarrassingly enough, this has happened to me a number of times with people I've met in a "Halo" match or even "Minecraft" world. I've made better friends with many of these people than with others in the real world! Even when not playing really long games you tend to make friends. First-person shooters, where you're usually working with other people, can get some to become tea players. These kinds of games help you realize that some goals need to be achieved by working with others.
Finally, one of the more recognized benefits of video games is that gaming can actually improve hand-eye coordination and increase the time it takes to make decisions in the real world. According to some studies it's also been shown that gamers are also detail-oriented and more prone to noticing their surroundings more than non-gamers are. Those types of video games, especially ones with a lot of action or requiring more attention, have shown to be the most helpful.
Video games are a place where you can be someone else, even if only for a short while. They're worlds where you can live another life, work towards a goal with others, or achieve fame and fortune! Although in large amounts gaming can be bad for you, when it comes to just wanting to unwind from the day and doing what you're best at, they're a big help in reducing stress and even helping you out in other ways!
