When you were a kid did your parents ever say to you these phrases, "you're going to rot your brain out", "it's a beautiful day outside", or my favorite, "you know that's bad for your eyes right?"

If any of these ring a bell it's most likely because you were a video game enthusiast like myself…and I still am. You name a period of time and I could tell you what video game was all the rage. Elementary school? "Pokémon". Middle school? Anything with "Mario". High school? "Call of Duty".

In a unique point in time where we are all self-quarantining for the health of society, the importance and memories that go along with video game participation could never be greater.

Just this week I was able to play various games with my roommates here in Arizona and reconnect with longtime childhood friends back in New Jersey. See to me that time meant so much more than a simple "how's it going" text. This is because video games help teach us so many things.

For starters cooperation; being on teams to compete towards a common goal is essential to experience, especially since all popular sports leagues have shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak. Communication is also an important factor; we can talk about everything through our headsets from how our families are doing to why I threw an unnecessary smoke grenade in a virtual stealth wartime situation.

The biggest one for me though is how video games teach us the importance of reminiscing. I can't tell you how many times my friends and I break out into uncontrollable laughter while we're playing a video game because a moment online reminds us of "that match when…" or "when you said…" stories.

Through video games I'm truly enjoying the other person's company, not giving a news feed of updates about my life. I'm so thankful to live during a time when this technology was not only invented but perfected because it's just another means to fill voids left in our lives by this virus.

Missing soccer? Play "Rocket League", a virtual soccer game where you hit the ball using tiny cars. Love animals? Bring back the days of "Nintendogs" and take care of a virtual dog. Are you a history buff who loves action? I'd highly recommend any "Assassin's Creed" game, whose storylines take place in everything from the Roman Empire to The American Revolution.

In conclusion, there's something for everyone when it comes to video games. If you're concerned about eye fatigue, then you should go out and grab a pair of blue light glasses to reduce the strain of most screens.

Video games used to be my escape from the real world, but at the moment they are the world while everything remains closed.

I'm encouraging everyone to pretend they're a kid again and find joy and accomplishment through the video games you cherish. Order a pizza, challenge your sister or grandpa, and make lasting memories!