3 ways gaming is good for you

As people who play games know, our favourite titles are designed to be fun and challenging. But those same traits can also make the experience addictive or frustrating – especially if you can’t find a healthy balance. 

For these reasons, gaming often gets a bad rap from family and friends. But researchers have found it can actually be a positive influence when enjoyed in moderation. Here are three ways gaming can be good for you.

1. Gaming can lift your mood, if you can find the right balance

It sounds obvious, but people who do things they enjoy tend to be a lot happier than people who don’t. A study from 2021 found that young people who had a balanced gaming hobby reported better moods than non-gamers or gamers who struggle with moderation.

Here are some practical tips for gaming in moderation.

Make gaming a reward, not an escape

YouTuber Brandon ‘Bundun’ Tan is known for his lively and offbeat videos, where he plays everything from Minecraft to Valorant. ‘I use gaming as a reward for the boring stuff,’ he says. ‘It sounds simple, but it actually makes gaming more enjoyable. You can properly switch off and get into it.’

Ensure you get enough sleep and sunshine

Jacob ‘Sock’ Hunter is a 22-year-old professional Super Smash Bros Melee player. For about five years, he was considered to be one of the top two players in the country. In life, he’s got two non-negotiables: ‘I focus on sleep and getting daylight. If gaming means [I’ll get] less than 8 hours’ sleep, I stop. And I won't start gaming until I've been outside, even just for a walk or to the shops.’

2. You can turn gaming skills into real-world wins

A 2022 study found that young people who played video games showed enhanced cognitive performance, particularly in areas of memory, impulse control and problem-solving skills.

Games can provide a comfortable environment to experience new types of thinking, develop technical skills and achieve things you never thought were possible. The new approaches you learn from gaming can be really helpful when you apply them to the real world. 

Here are some examples:

• Terence Tao, who is considered one of the world’s top mathematicians, uses puzzle games to develop problem-solving abilities. He says games like Sudoku and Tetris teach him to recognise patterns and to think several steps ahead. 

• Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn's co-founder, says playing fantasy role-playing games builds strategic thinking skills.

• Kristen Boomer, a NASA rocket scientist, credits mystery video games with sparking her early interest in science and technology. Trying to juggle all of the events and clues in video games taught Kristen to approach problems systematically and to value the process of discovery.

But as we all know, gaming alone won’t win you a Nobel Prize. So, how can we maximise these benefits without getting into bad habits?

Set small, specific goals

‘Baby steps are key,’ Sock says. ‘Set realistic goals that challenge you without affecting your mental health. If you're casual, maybe try being more creative with Minecraft builds. If you're competitive, work on specific skills like counter-strafing in Counter-Strike. These micro-goals help you feel fulfilled while learning.’

Realise that you're tougher than you might think

As Bundun notes, gaming can help to build persistence and resilience without us even noticing: ‘In RuneScape, you spend hours clicking a rock for experience points. I use this mindset when editing videos – if I can mine virtual rocks for 5 hours, I can definitely edit footage for 3.’

Want to know more?

Just Ask ReachOut, our AI tool that gives you reliable, anonymous answers to your questions, generated from ReachOut articles and resources.

Ask ReachOut

3. Gaming can build real, lasting friendships

A 2022 study showed that young people who played games online with their friends had increased life satisfaction. That’s because:

• online games offer a space for teamwork and achieving goals together

• shared success with friends can increase your sense of self-worth.

Of course, most gamers have probably also experienced rude or shitty behaviour from others. Maybe they have even been a bit toxic themselves.

Here are some tips for building better relationships and social skills through gaming, without getting too lost in the sauce.

Choose your circles wisely

‘This is a question that I reckon is way bigger than just gaming. Toxicity often comes from your environment,’ Sock says. ‘I think you should surround yourself with people who give you good vibes. A Discord of mates who hop on to do World of Warcraft raids after work is probably going to bring you more joy than a stack of players who are amazing at the game but also treat you like dirt.’

Know when to take breaks

‘Gaming can get really competitive,’ Bundun reminds us. ‘If you notice yourself or your friends getting heated, take a breather. Remember that gaming is an escape for many. Sometimes friends bring bad days into gaming sessions and, without visual cues, it's important to be aware of that.’