Video games have been a popular form of entertainment for decades. Over the years, research has shown that gaming may also have a positive impact on mental health. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood and social connections, the benefits of video games are numerous and varied.
One of the most well-known benefits of video games is their ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have found that playing video games can help to decrease the levels of stress. Furthermore, video games can also provide a sense of escapism. This allows players to temporarily step away from their daily problems and relax. This can be especially beneficial for those dealing with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Gaming can also improve mood and overall well-being. Research has found that playing video games can release endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. This can lead to an improved mood and increased feelings of happiness. Likewise, video games can also provide a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, which can help to boost self-confidence and overall well-being.
Sense of community
Another benefit of video games is their ability to improve social connections. Online games in particular can provide opportunities for gamers to connect with other players from around the world. Fostering a sense of community and belonging. Not only that, but video games can also help to improve communication skills by requiring players to work together and strategize in order to succeed.
Even though not every player will feel comfortable joining Discord calls or other voice chat options, some games feature special solutions. Of course, text chat has been around for ages. Additionally, dialogue wheels have been used in more recent multiplayer releases. These dialogue wheels allow players to quickly react to situations with an audio cue, for other players to notice. Gamers that prefer to stay silent, can take advantage of options like these to communicate with their teammates.
The cloud gaming community, despite being small, is very active and welcoming. Of course, there might be some bad apples, as usual on pretty much every community. Still, for the most part, the cloud gaming community enjoys talking about video games, no matter the cloud service every gamer uses. Even so, there are many content creators and streamers that focus on cloud gaming, and add value to the community, helping others meet new people and make new friends. It could be said that the Stadia community evolved into something much bigger.
Gaming when and where needed
Playing video games as a form of escapism from reality is a common practice among many people. Escapism refers to the act of retreating into a fantasy world in order to escape from the challenges and difficulties of real life. Video games offer a unique form of escapism by allowing players to fully immerse themselves in a digital world. There, they can take on a different identity, explore new environments, and experience new adventures.
Many people turn to video games as a form of escapism because they offer a safe and controlled environment in which they can escape from the stress and pressures of daily life. This is commonly known as “safe space”. For example, video games can provide an escape from the pressures of work, relationships, or other thought situations. They can also offer a welcome distraction from the difficulties of life. Specially, for those who are dealing with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
One of the key benefits of cloud gaming, is its accessibility and availability. As long as you have a compatible device, like a smartphone and an Internet connection, you’re good to go. This allows people to boot up any game they desire and start playing right away. Of course, this might help in certain points, when the person is feeling anxious and just wants to relax and disconnect for a while. Being able to enjoy a vast catalog of games on the go, when needed, is an incredible advantage of cloud gaming. Personally, as of late, I’ve enjoyed playing Genshin Impact via GeForce NOW on my mobile.
Playing together, even at a distance
Another overlooked aspect of cloud gaming is its ease of access and how it helps people enjoy video games together. Here at Cloud Dosage, we’ve already discussed how low the entry point is for cloud gaming. With a cheap and compatible device and a controller, players can subscribe to one of the various cloud gaming services and start playing right away. Not only that, but some cloud gaming services offer their own multiplayer solutions.
For example, Amazon Luna has Luna Couch. This option enables players to enjoy multiplayer and coop titles together, even if both users are far apart. Features like these have been around for a long time, even before cloud gaming became popular. Parsec is one example. Even so, Luna Couch displays what cloud gaming could evolve in the near future, and how it can help connect people in many ways. Hopefully, other cloud gaming services, take notes and add similar features to help games stay connected.
Moderation is key
Moderation is crucial when it comes to playing video games, as excessive gaming can lead to a number of negative effects. For example, playing violent and competitive video games may be associated with increased anxiety and even aggression. These types of games can stimulate stress, which can increase feelings of tension. Additionally, excessive exposure to violence and competition in video games can also desensitize gamers to real-life violence. This may lead to an increase in aggressive behavior.
Moreover, excessive escapism through video games can have serious consequences on a person’s overall well-being. Spending too much time in a virtual world can lead to social isolation and reduce real-life social skills. When people spend excessive amounts of time playing video games, they can become disconnected from the real world. Leading to a decline in real-life relationships and responsibilities.
In order to avoid these negative effects, it is important to maintain a healthy balance in all aspects of life, including gaming. This means limiting the amount of time spent playing video games. Seeking out alternative forms of entertainment and recreation. Also, making time for real-life relationships and responsibilities. Additionally, it is significant to choose games that are age-appropriate and have educational or therapeutic value, rather than those that promote violence or aggression. That said, some people could prefer more aggressive games to relieve stress and anxiety. It all depends on the person and how they feel at the moment.
A positive impact
All in all, video games have been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood and social connections. Games can be a valuable tool in promoting mental well-being. While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between video games and mental health, it is clear that gaming can have a positive impact on mental health.
Of course, keep in mind that this is only an editorial piece. If you’re interested in how video games, in general, affect mental health, feel free to take a look at the various articles and publications posted at Google Academic. There, you’ll find proper research that shares pros and cons about gaming, and how it influences gamers across the globe.
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