Playing games is one of the most enjoyable activities for children, but games are not just for kids. Gaming, in all its many forms, offers an array of benefits for participants of all ages. In this guide, we’ll outline some surprising advantages to making time for games in your schedule.
De-Stressing
One of the main reasons why gaming is so popular is its ability to help people de-stress and relax. Studies show that stress levels are rising. A Gallup survey revealed that over 50% of women and 45% of men in the US experience stress as part of their daily lives. Having a hobby is a brilliant way to switch off, induce a sense of calm and contentment and forget about life’s stressors. Statista data shows that over 75% of people who play games in the US feel less stressed as a result.
Managing stress effectively is crucial because it can impact both physical and mental health. Severe or prolonged stress can affect your relationships, make you more susceptible to illnesses and health problems, increase the risk of burnout and decrease sleep quality. It’s normal to experience stress as a natural reaction to certain situations or challenges, but mild stress can develop into more complex problems if it’s not managed carefully. Taking time out to enjoy your hobbies and interests is an easy way to boost your mental health. Playing online games gives you 24-hour access to entertainment, a community comprising like-minded individuals and opportunities to wind down and chill out.
Boosting Your Brainpower
Playing games is great fun for children, but often, the reason why parents buy games and teachers use games as part of their library of resources is that they aid and encourage learning. Children learn through play, but this is a skill that doesn’t have to cease when you reach adulthood. Playing games like chess, solitaire and checkers can boost your brain power significantly. These games require you to think, plan strategically, analyze your opponent’s actions and make decisions under pressure. You can also use games to improve and enhance your memory, learn new facts, develop new skills and solve problems. Regular brain exercises help to sharpen focus and increase your concentration span. Testing your brain and making it work is beneficial for all ages.
Building Social Connections
Humans are sociable creatures. While it can be refreshing to spend time alone, most people enjoy interacting with others. Spending time with people, either in-person or virtually, can lift your spirits, create a sense of belonging and togetherness and reduce the risk of isolation and loneliness. We often think about being lonely as a problem that affects older people, but studies show that loneliness is rife among young adults, particularly since the pandemic. A 2024 study by the American Psychiatric Association suggests that 30% of adults aged between 18 and 34 experience loneliness either every day or at least a few days every week. Gaming is an effective way to build social connections, particularly for those who find it hard to get out and about or strike up relationships in person. Games are accessible online and there are lots of communities and groups you can get involved in to meet friends with shared interests.
The rise of online gaming has made it much easier to build social ties. Today, if you want to play a game or enjoy some company, you don’t have to find somebody who wants to play and arrange a time and place to meet. You can open a website or app and start playing immediately by taking on a friend or stranger or playing against the computer.
Entertainment And Enjoyment
The primary reason we enjoy playing games so much is the joy and entertainment they bring to our lives. Whether you’re playing with friends or family members, or you’ve got a few minutes to kill between meetings, you have instant access to fun activities that will brighten your day and lift your mood. Allowing time for fun and entertainment can help to lower the risk of stress and mental health symptoms and make you feel happy.
Developing New Skills
Playing games is a tried and tested way to develop new skills and learn. Whether you’re a beginner tackling the game of chess for the first time, or you’re an experienced gamer, you can learn from every game you play and opponent you challenge. If you’re eager to hone your skills, it’s an excellent idea to analyze your gameplay, take notes and make use of online resources and forums. Share tips, read guides, watch videos and learn from experts.
Encouraging Creativity
Creative activities offer a wide range of benefits, but many of us don’t have opportunities to be creative in our day-to-day lives. If your job doesn’t involve creative thinking, playing games can help you indulge your interests and show off your talents. You can choose from a vast selection of games and activities, which encourage and promote different types of creativity. Perhaps you enjoy strategic games that enable you to think on your feet and solve problems using innovative, original solutions, or maybe you prefer games that allow you to express yourself by designing new kingdoms or buildings, for example.
Making Decisions
Some people are naturally more indecisive than others, but everyone has moments when they find it hard to make decisions. Playing games can help you improve your decision-making skills and become more decisive. When you play, you have to think quickly, solve problems and draw up strategies to win the game or outwit your opponent. You can transfer these skills to everyday life.
We often think about children playing games, but there are many benefits to playing games for adults too. Gaming, whether it involves playing video games or testing your mettle in a chess or checkers contest, can help you de-stress, build social connections, boost your brainpower and develop new skills. Playing games is also fun, it can help you become a better decision-maker and it encourages creativity. If you’re looking for a new hobby for 2025, why not give gaming a go?
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
