Gaming has taken the world by storm, with players from all over the world connecting to each other through video games and social media platforms. While there are many concerns about gaming, such as addiction and depression, there are also several benefits of this pastime.

Adapting to change

Gaming can teach you to adapt quickly and efficiently to new environments. This can be a useful skill, especially if you are moving house, school or university campus, and can even be beneficial in the workplace.

Learning to think on your feet

Whether it is in an open-world fantasy game or a strategy game, you will be required to make decisions and plan ahead. You will need to strategize in a fast-paced environment, which can translate well into the real world. A study has shown that gamers have improved problem-solving skills, and this is thought to be due to the way that games provide players with a challenge, then offer them a solution.

This can improve memorization abilities, as you are constantly challenged to recall the rules of a game and how to complete it. This is something that all students should work on, as it can help to increase their attention span and memory.

Building relationships

Gamers who play online games can often connect with other people through text or voice chat, which can lead to positive social interactions and friendships. This is important, especially for young people who may not be meeting many other people in their lives. However, some gamers can get caught up in toxic online communities that can have negative effects on their mental health.

Repetitive stress injuries

Some gaming can be quite physical, and repetitive action such as aiming a gun or moving an avatar can cause problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a condition that causes inflammation of the tendons and nerves in the wrist, leading to pain and numbness. This type of injury is called a repetitive stress injury (RSI). The best way to avoid this is by taking regular breaks from the screen, and using ergonomically correct equipment.