On average, gamers spend more than 6 hours a week of gaming. While playing too much can cause eyestrain and cause migraines, when played occasionally it can contribute to many health benefits.

Experts have found that playing games can be good for your health. We made a list of all the key points from the study.

How The Study Was Conducted

According to a Study Playing Video Games Can Actually Improve Our Mental Health
© Supernatural / Warner Bros

To find out whether gaming improves our mental health or has a positive effect on our daily lives, 33 people between 55 and 75 years old were selected.

They were divided into 3 groups. Group one was invited to play Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day, group 2 received piano lessons, and group 3 received no homework.

The Results Revealed That Gaming Might Be Good For Us

After 6 months, they were asked to have an MRI scan. According to the report, only individuals who belonged to group one, those with the task of gaming, experienced an increase in their brain’s gray matter.

Their short-term memory improved, as well as their mental health.

There’s More Research To Back Up The Claim

According to a Study Playing Video Games Can Actually Improve Our Mental Health
© Love Krittaya / Wikimedia Commons

In 2014, the same researchers conducted a series of similar studies with young adults as subjects.

They were asked to play 3D puzzles and logic games and they also showed improvement in their brain due to the games.

According to a Study Playing Video Games Can Actually Improve Our Mental Health

Another study from the American Psychological Association found that playing easy games can improve a person’s mood, ease anxiety, and calm them down.

Here’s What Gaming Can Do For You

According to a Study Playing Video Games Can Actually Improve Our Mental Health
  • Video games can help in building problem-solving skills in children.
  • They can help you relieve pain caused by chronic illness.
  • They might even make you smarter.
  • Games like Tetris can help patients with trauma.

Does playing games make you feel better? What kind of games do you play?