Mind, Body, And Control: How Gaming Can Transform Our Well-Being

Photo by Yan Krukau

Most people think about leisure time as being a purely physical activity, whether it’s sports or hiking and similar practices. Arguably, technology in recent years has had a bad rap because of the potential downsides and stresses, particularly when referring to mobile phones and other similar approaches, but it’s vital to remember that actually, leisure comprises so many different aspects that can benefit mind, body, and soul. Tech, and specifically gaming, is something that can certainly enable a far better approach to enhancing mental and physical health. But what does it really do to transform our well-being?

The Mental Health Side Of The Equation

We hear so much about gaming being a stress to the point that plenty of us may not even think about it being beneficial in any way. However, we must remember that gaming is an excellent way for us to focus on something. Whether it’s an online game like pinball or something that involves a little bit more mental engagement, it can be a powerful stress reliever. The focused nature of pinball allows players to immerse themselves fully, and it can be a very cathartic escape.

People seldom draw the line between gaming and meditation, but it’s vital to remember that actually, if we are involved in gaming and have a particularly stressful life without any other sort of outlet, it can make a huge difference. For people of the older generations, they can remember when pinballs in arcades were the major draw, and the nostalgic aspect of gaming cannot be underestimated either. If you have a challenging day or you find that holiday seasons make you feel uneasy, there is that stress relief, which can be so important too because you are anchoring your thoughts and feelings onto something.

Many people talk about the flow state that comes with gaming, and is an excellent way to take your mind off pressures in life. We live in an age where our attention is drawn in so many different directions that we need active approaches to relieving stress.

The Cognitive Engagement

Mental agility is something that can be lacking because we live in an age where our needs for immediate gratification override anything else. The tough thing to come to terms with, particularly for anybody who remembers a time before smartphones and the proliferation of the internet, is that it was easier to concentrate.

There’s a wealth of people who now believe they have ADHD, and the hard thing to come to terms with is that many of us are experiencing symptoms of this purely because of the state of the world we live in. The speed of life is faster than ever, which means that we have to work harder at enhancing our mental agility. This is where gaming can be a diamond in the rough amongst the wealth of digital quick fixes.

We have to constantly adapt our thinking tactics based on our innate reflexes, which can improve our problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility.

The Physical Health Benefits

Many of us seldom think about the physical health benefits of gaming; however, gaming is excellent for developing hand-eye coordination. Engaging in games that require precise movements can help us refine our motor control and improve our overall physical coordination.

While physical-oriented games like sports simulations or dancing games require rapid hand-eye or foot coordination, the motor skills developed can translate into improved performance in daily activities. We can find ourselves more adept at tasks requiring coordination, whether it’s catching a ball or navigating crowded spaces.

The Sense of Purpose

We’ve all had those moments in life where we can feel that we’re not contributing or bringing our best. It can be easier than ever to feel like we’re missing out when we see others posting on Instagram how fantastic their lives are. We know, deep down, this is not actually the case, but it doesn’t stop us from feeling those twinges of jealousy.

This is where leisure activities in general can give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Many of us may feel that we’re supposed to make an amazing impact on the world, and for those whose parents chastise them for gaming all day, the fact is that you may very well feel like gaming is all you have.

We shouldn’t underestimate the sense of purpose it can give us, particularly if you feel you want to work in gaming. There’s an abundance of career options in gaming that it’s definitely worth exploring. But of course, it’s vital to remember that you shouldn’t be using gaming as an excuse to not be more proactive in terms of pursuing your passions.

We all love gaming in one way or another, but we have our own reasons to enjoy it, whether it’s a cathartic outlet or the social aspect. Gaming can give us a greater sense of purpose. But it’s vital to remember that if you are going down this route, you should be far more active in your learning rather than playing games for 12 hours a day as an excuse, which is something that so many musicians do.

We have to keep the wolf from the door, so to speak, when it comes to our parents nagging us about what we’re going to do with our lives. So, you may very well want to think about what gaming does, not just as a leisure activity but as something for your soul. And even if you decide that this is not a viable career route, you can still gain a sense of purpose from it through the affirmation and stress relief that comes with it.

Understanding Your Resilience

So many aspects of life can be overwhelming, and gaming is an excellent way to improve our resilience stores. Playing video games enhances our emotional regulation skills. In fact, gamers who play for at least an hour every day have been shown to demonstrate superior ability to adjust and manage their emotions compared to non-gamers, which can translate to better resilience in real-life situations.

Gaming can also present challenges that require repeated attempts to overcome an obstacle, which does a lot for our sense of perseverance. We have what’s called a triumph circuit in our brains, which rewards persistence and engagement. This teaches us to break through those plateaus, and this skill directly translates to increased resilience in terms of facing real-life challenges.

Additionally, research suggests that certain games can manage trauma because it keeps the mind occupied and reduces the formation of traumatic memories. This could be why many people think nothing of retreating to their room and spending hours in front of their favorite game. If this is you, it certainly makes a lot of sense because it’s that welcome escape, but it’s also nice to know that this aspect of gaming can be particularly beneficial to build resilience after experiencing an adverse event.

We can all look back to our teenage years and find it to be incredibly tough psychologically, physically, and emotionally. So maybe you were someone who had to retreat to your room in order to develop a coping strategy. While so many of us tend to avoid these problems and not deal with them, there has to be a balance here where you can take that time out to escape, while also working hard at building back stronger.

The fact is that tech and gaming are a world replete with opportunities to enhance your well-being. From stress relief to building resilience and, of course, the cognitive benefits that come with gaming, it is an excellent solution, far more than we give it credit for.