Liputan6.com, Jakarta Many people think video games are bad for you. They worry that games make people lazy or violent. Parents often tell their children to stop playing games and do something else. These negative views about gaming are very common around the world.
However, recent studies show that video games can actually help you in many ways. Scientists have found that gaming can improve your brain, your social skills, and even your health. These benefits might surprise people who only see the bad side of gaming.
Let's look at eight ways that playing video games can be good for you. These benefits are based on real research from universities and health organizations. You might change your mind about gaming after reading this list.
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1. Sharpen Your Mind
Playing video games can make your brain work better and faster. Your mind becomes stronger when you play games regularly. Games help you focus better and remember things more easily.
Research from the National Institute of Health studied nearly 2,000 children and found interesting results. Kids who played games for three hours every day did better on brain tests than kids who never played games. These tests measured how well children could control themselves and remember things. The study also showed that gaming changes how the brain works in positive ways.
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2. Boost Your Problem-Solving Skills
Video games are full of puzzles and challenges that you need to solve. Each level presents new problems that require different solutions. This constant practice helps you become better at finding answers to difficult situations.
When you play games, you learn to think in new ways and try different approaches. You practice breaking big problems into smaller parts. These skills help you solve real-world problems too. Games teach you to keep trying even when something seems impossible at first.
3. Improve Leadership Skills
Games often require you to lead teams and make important decisions. You learn to guide other players and organize group activities. These experiences help you become a better leader in real life.
Research by Rubtcova and Pavenkov from the Russian Academy showed clear differences between gamers and non-gamers. In their study, 89% of gamers were good at organizing things. 75% of the gamers also understood how to work in organized groups. 89% of gamers could lead and manage other people well. These leadership skills transfer to school and work situations.
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4. Boost Your Mood
Gaming can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Many people use games to unwind after a stressful day. Playing games releases chemicals in your brain that create positive feelings.
Research by Granic, Lobel, and Engels from Radboud University studied how games affect emotions and mental health. Their research found that playing games you enjoy can make you feel better and happier. Games can help reduce worry and make you feel more positive about life. This mood boost can last even after you stop playing.
5. May Help With Dyslexia
Dyslexia makes reading difficult for many children and adults. Traditional treatments often take a long time to show results. However, some types of video games might offer a new way to help with reading problems.
Research published in Nature showed promising results for children with dyslexia. The scientists found that kids with reading problems got better at reading when they played action games. These children could read words faster and understand letter sounds better after playing games. However, this only worked with action games - slower, puzzle-type games did not help. This suggests that certain games could support reading development.
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6. Improve Your Social Skills
Contrary to popular belief, gaming can actually make you more social. Many modern games require teamwork and communication with other players. You learn to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Online gaming helps shy people practice social interactions in a safe environment. You develop skills like cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution. These abilities help you build better relationships in real life. Gaming communities also provide friendship and support for many players around the world.
7. Train Decision-Making Skills
Video games force you to make quick decisions under pressure. You often have only seconds to choose the best action. This constant practice improves your ability to think fast and make good choices.
Games present you with many different scenarios and consequences. You learn to weigh options quickly and trust your instincts. These decision-making skills become automatic over time. They help you in real situations where you need to act fast or choose between multiple options.
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8. Strengthen Dexterity
Playing games requires precise finger movements and hand-eye coordination. Your hands become more skilled and accurate through regular gaming. This improved dexterity can benefit many real-world activities.
Controllers and keyboards demand small, controlled movements that train your motor skills. Gaming helps you develop better coordination between what you see and how you move your hands. This skill is useful for activities like typing, playing musical instruments, or even medical procedures that require steady hands.