Video games and gaming are now ingrained in American culture as almost 227 million citizens say they play games and participate in gaming culture.
Why do people play video games? For many, video games are an escape and stress relief. The modern world, with its stagnated wages and deadly pandemics, can be a stress bomb. People need a way to forget about it for a while.
Though video games seem like a harmless diversion, many aren’t aware of the effects of gaming? Are you a dedicated gamer who wants to know more about the positive and negative effects of gaming?
Read on to learn more about how video games can impact your mental and physical health.
Positive Effects of Gaming on Mental Health
China recently limited children’s video game playing to three hours per weekend, believing that an addiction to video games and devices is detrimental to the long-term health of Chinese youth. Though too much time playing video games has been considered a negative since the 1980s, many positives exist.
Positive Stimulation
Anyone who plays video games knows they’re not mindless. These games require a distinct level of mental engagement that engages your higher thinking processes. Complex games need quick decision-making and strategies that develop your brain’s critical thinking skills.
Accomplishment
The goal of any video game is to win. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing a sports game or a tactical RPG. Every game has various objectives and goals to reach.
Achieving these goals and winning the game elicits a feeling of satisfaction and well-being that benefits your mental health.
Trauma and Mental Illness Recovery
One of the most challenging parts of dealing with trauma is reliving it. Healthy distractions are a necessity when treating long-term trauma and other mental illnesses. Unfortunately, far too many turn to drugs and alcohol to mitigate acute symptoms.
Video games act as a healthy distraction for those suffering from trauma. They also help with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Fosters Community
Many associate video games as a solipsistic force. How can a person join a community when sitting alone in their game room? Video games aren’t what they used to be, and modern technology provides a community to gamers across the globe.
One of the best social effects of gaming on mental health is the communication between strangers. If you suffer from social anxiety, you can learn how to feel comfortable talking to strangers in a low-pressure environment.
The Negative Effects of Gaming on Mental Health
Given the mental health benefits of video games, you may wonder why they have a negative stigma. Unfortunately, too much of anything can have negative consequences. If you’re using video games to cope with stress and mental illness, you must limit your gameplay to avoid these possible negative issues.
Addiction
The jury is still out whether internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a specialized form of addiction. Its inclusion in the next DSM is a debate for academics and clinicians. In the meantime, be wary of the following video game addiction:
- A compulsion to play you can’t control
- Lack of interest in other activities
- Loss of personal and romantic relationships
The American Journal of Psychology estimates that 0.3-1.0% of Americans may suffer from IGD. Proper treatment needs further study, but support groups are available to help folks entangled in a video game addiction.
Dopamine Malfunction
One of the effects of gaming that’s positive can also become a negative. When you play games, your brain releases dopamine. The stimulating effects of video games release an almost constant stream.
Dopamine is the hormone that promotes feelings of pleasure, well-being, and fun. Over time, your brain builds up a dopamine tolerance. This lack of pleasure in everyday activities can lead to depression and anxiety.
Improper Emotional Regulation
Distraction is vital for those suffering from trauma or other mental illness. The problem is, too much distraction leads to an emotional dead end.
If you’re not actively processing your emotions and feelings, you may develop a condition called alexithymia. This condition prevents you from identifying your internal emotions but doesn’t prevent you from acting upon them. You may be angry or sad and not even realize it.
Physical Effects of Gaming
Any doctor will tell you that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. Too many modern Americans sit for far too long and don’t participate in meaningful physical activity. Lack of movement and exercise can lead to physical health issues.
The only way to mitigate is to incorporate daily moderate physical activity into your gaming lifestyle. Take a break and get a good sweat going!
Sleep Issues
The constant stimulation provided by video games can lead to sleep disturbances. Overplaying may lead to insomnia or other sleep-related issues. Many gamers experiencing sleep issues try to mitigate by playing more video games throughout the night and then experience negative life consequences.
Poor Hygiene
Gamers overcome with “addiction” can’t take the time to care for themselves.
As you fall into the endless cycle of playing games day and night, you’re less likely to leave the house. Personal care like teeth brushing and showering becomes secondary to the game. What’s the point if you aren’t participating with the outside world?
Backaches and Poor Posture
When you play video games, you’re likely to sit in the same position for hours at a time. Doing so can wreck your posture and cause chronic and permanent back pain.
Any gamer needs a stretching regimen. It’s even more crucial to own a gaming chair that promotes proper posture. Here’s more info on gaming chairs.
The Positive and Negative Effects of Gaming
Gaming, like many other activities, is healthy in moderation. Many of the positive effects of gaming are lost if you play too often.
Gamers should take breaks, get some exercise, and engage with the world around them.
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