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10 Ways Games Benefit Your Life

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Despite what the media likes to say, games can actually have a lot of benefits to many people. We understand that they have been largely demonized for a long time now, but we wouldn’t say that they have been given a fair or balanced argument. 

Many of the articles that you will read will tell you about why gaming can be bad for you, the potential negatives, and more, but we don’t want to do that. Instead, we want to focus on the positives, and look into the ways that gaming can actually benefit your life, and the lives of others. So, that’s what we’re going to do. Down below, you’re going to see some of the best benefits that we can think of, so if you’re interested in learning more, feel free to continue reading.


Socializing 

This isn’t true for all games, but it is true for a lot of them. A lot of games are multiplayer these days, meaning that you can play with your friends, your family members, and even other people online. Of course, it’s imperative that you are doing so safely when playing with people online that you may not know, avoiding giving out personal information. 

However, it’s still a fantastic way to practice your social skills. In fact, there are a lot of people who find that gaming actually helps them with their confidence when it comes to socializing, as it allows them to have conversations with people, without the added stress element.

Staying Young 

Next, you should make sure that you understand how playing games can keep you young, happy and healthy. How does this work? There are lots of different ways that gaming can help you stay young. First, it allows you to keep up with the latest trend. It also is highly beneficial for the mind and can keep you smart and focused. It might even mean that you don’t have to worry about dementia. Significant research suggests that playing games at least once a week will mean that you can keep your mind young and healthy, avoiding problems regarding cognitive decline that become more common as you age. 

Keeping Healthy

People often worry that playing games is going to be harmful to your muscles, your joints, or your eyes. So, let’s quickly dispel some of these ideas and alert you as to why they are false. First, you can play VR which is a great way to keep you physically fit and active. Another way games keep you healthy is by helping you develop and improve your fine motor skills or even your reaction times. This is a great option, particularly for children who are going through puberty when development like this is most important in the long term. 

Managing Stress

There have been studies conducted on stress and gaming, which showed that in moderation, gaming can actually be a good short-term stress reliever. It gives you something else to focus on, it takes you out of your world and puts you in another one for a little while, where you’re someone else, you’re doing something else. 

It’s nice to be able to do this every now and then, instead of letting the weight of your stress crush you. Everyone deserves to have a hobby, something that they love to do, especially if it helps melt away the stress of their busy lives.

Curing Boredom 

One of the most basic benefits of games is that they help to cure boredom. If you’re bored, and you can’t think of a single thing that you want to do, perhaps a game can help. Some games are able to provide hours of entertainment for those who are playing them, and with so many being available you’re bound to find something that you like. 

From classic computer games such as Minesweeper and Solitaire, all the way to video games that are all the rage right now - there is never a moment where you get bored. And, if there is, you simply move onto the next game until you’re ready to stop playing.

Earning Money 

You can monetize playing games, and not just spam ones. You may have seen the adverts promising you payouts on social media pages, however, these are not always as good as they seem. Remember the saying, ‘if it seems too good to be true then it probably is’. Do your research here, you could always be paid for testing games. There are always gaming companies looking for testers for honest opinions on the latest installment of their games. They pay rather well also.

Getting Famous 

Believe it or not you can become famous by streaming your gaming experiences online. Build a following and then you can really make a name for yourself. There are a few different sites where you can create a profile and show off your gaming skills. With the rise of social media video platforms, this has become easier than ever to get yourself noticed. If all you need to do to become famous is sit and play your favorite game, then why wouldn’t you?

Being Part Of A Community

Finally, when you game, you become part of a huge community. This community can be there for you when nobody else is, and you might even meet amazing people who become friends for life. If you are wanting to join a gaming community in your local area then check out local social media pages to find out more. It could be absolutely anything that you are into, from D&D to scrabble club. If you have a community center then they will list everything that is happening in the local neighborhood. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key benefits that you can explore which you can game in your spare time. Ultimately, gaming often gets a bad rep in the media, particularly when it comes to kids. However, the benefits far outweigh any of the cons that exist here.

Hey fellow nerds! Before you dive back into that gaming session or start your next binge-watch, here’s the deal with Couch Soup: we’re a completely independent pop culture site run by genuine fans who get just as hyped as you do about the latest games, comics, movies, and TV shows. No corporate overlords, no AI-generated content, just real people who know their Metroid from their Mass Effect.

Unlike the big corporate sites, we don’t chase clicks or stir up drama. Sure, we might have some hot takes (looking at you, controversial season finale), but they come from a place of genuine passion and respect for the creators and fandoms we cover.

Want to support what we do and join what we think is the coolest community of pop culture enthusiasts on the internet? Check out our supporter tiers – each packed with perks that’ll level up your fandom experience. Every contribution helps keep us independent and lets us keep nerding out with you!

Thanks for being part of our quest – now, back to our regularly scheduled geekery!
Drew Lewis,
Editor-in-chief
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