More and more often, we’re seeing people become interested in games more than sports. Yet, while many are encouraged to participate in exercise at the gym and at home, many don’t get that same sense of achievement, relaxation, and enjoyment that games can bring them.
Despite the uncertainty of the benefits of video gaming, it really does support people’s development across several levels, from their creativity to handling failure and turning their focus away from the real world to reduce stress and anxiety. Using games as a stress reliever can be what makes them more appealing than real-life sports as if something goes wrong, you can always go back to the start and try again. Whereas in real sports, everything hangs on that one match.
With a range of games available to play, such as CSGO at Midnite, find out how you may actually be benefiting from being more interested in games than sports below.
Resilience
No one likes losing, but when it comes to gaming, failure is imminent. While you may not realize it, this supports your ability to build up emotional resilience, understand how you should react to losing, and helps you to handle loss better moving forward. In addition, this method of ‘coping’ better supports people in their everyday life, allowing them to better manage their expectations.
Problem Solving
All games involve problem-solving, whether we realize it or not, and people of all ages can benefit from solving said challenges. To solve these problems, a degree of creativity is required, helping people to think differently about how they approach certain tasks. Games can be so varied, and they can really get your mind working without you even realizing it.
Social Aspect
Rarely you don’t walk into a house without some kind of gaming console in the living room. While most people may no longer spend hours outside, they still communicate with friends via online gaming.
In addition, this type of gaming provides them the chance to play alongside different teams, family, and friends, promoting a social aspect within gaming that many of us forget about. Especially during the pandemic, where socializing was limited, online gaming really helped people stay together and keep their bonds strong.
And Relax
We all like to unwind and relax at the end of the day, and playing games is just one way a lot of people want to take time to themselves in the evening. Gaming allows you to enter a whole new dimension, often forgetting about the hardships of your day, and it gives you the time to engage in something different. And yes – that even applies to games that involve fighting or violence. As long as you’re engaged in the game you’re playing, it can help you relax after a long day.
Competence
There’s nothing like figuring out something we could not work out – and the same applies to gaming. In gaming, players are often rewarded for overcoming challenges, providing them with the feeling of competence once they complete a level or pass a certain obstacle. For everyone, that sense of achievement never gets old, no matter what age you are!
Reduced Anxiety
If you’re experiencing anxiety, gaming may be the ideal way to take a step back from the real world and let your imagination run wild for a little bit. Video gaming requires a lot of concentration, meaning that instead of focusing on your negative emotions, you can focus on what’s in front of you to relieve stress and anxiety. While video games shouldn’t be used as a total distraction, they can help to improve mental health.
There we have it! More and more often, we see people favor games over sports, and, while that might not mean you’re spending too much time in nature, you are still learning the same, if not more, valuable skills that support your development beyond the computer or TV screen. A lot of these skills can then be applied in real life and help you become a very well-rounded person. So, don’t feel guilty for spending a few hours in front of your games console now and then. You might be doing yourself a favor!
