Most of us turn to video games in hopes of decreasing our stress. After a long day of hard day’s work, we come home and play our favorite game. Whether we play online games of a few rounds with our friends like situs slot vigor, or Minecraft, or play our favorite farming game alone. As long as our stress is reduced and channeled somewhere else, then it’ll be okay. However, sometimes, video games can take a lot out of you, whether you noticed it or not, rather than rejuvenating. Do video games actually help you relax?
While there may be reasons to be stressed in-game, however, a study showed that there is a difference in stress levels after playing cooperatively and competitively. In cooperative gameplay, the players experience a significant decrease in stress levels, but the difference was only a tad. Both groups experience stress, and playing games helps to reduce it.
Stress and Gaming
Many gamers have remarked that playing video games with friends helps them unwind, even violent games as well. But, some claimed that some of the research that has been conducted suggests that games are stressful or harmful. Additionally, stress that is caused in-game could also be brought to real life as well. Perhaps when they perform poorly during the rounds, when they were unable to win any rounds, or when they encounter uncooperative players.
How do Video Games Reduce Stress?
Some ways to understand how video games can influence our level of stress, we must understand how video games impact our minds. Do we play video games for enjoyment and engagement? Think about your favorite television show and how it felt while you’re watching it. Were you engrossed in it? Then, you were engaged in it and enjoyed the show. The same applies to video games in this regard. Try engaging in activities other than gaming to see if your stress level drops as a test to see if video games do alleviate stress.
Dopamine Circuitry
Playing video games inducing pleasure in our brains is one of the reasons why we enjoy the activity so much. As we enjoy and engage ourselves in it, our brain releases dopamine into the nucleus accumbens which is the brain’s pleasure area. As dopamine is produced, we will experience euphoria and positivity. In turn, this lessens our tension and enables us to get through each day.
Triumph Circuit
The triumph circuit is a pattern in our brain which helps us feel accomplished with our gameplay. We feel like it’s an achievement when we successfully overcome challenges. Playing video games is one of those activities that may help gamers feel this by presenting them with puzzles and challenges, providing them with the tools to overcome them, and giving them a sense of triumph when they overcome challenges. As a result, the triumph circuit helps players counter stress.
Flow State
The triumph circuit is not the only element in video games that makes players feel involved and entertained; it is in fact, a phenomenon that takes place after the flow state. This level of engagement and focus is distinct. When we are completely absorbed in a video game and everything else appears distant, we are in the flow state. When the players’ minds are absorbed in a task, they stop entertaining other ideas and events happening around them, which results in this phenomenon. This state is similar to when we are meditating – when our minds are silent.
Instant Gratification
Video games provide an instant reward when players accomplish something and that’s impactful because, in real life, it works in the opposite way which is known as delayed gratification. To get a salary, you’d need to work for several weeks, then, to get a bachelor’s degree, you’d need to struggle for several months for it. Therefore, unlike in video games, it will take time for us to reach the goals we have in the real world. In a way, video games are known as a medium for players to escape reality and venture into a small world that aids us in achieving our objectives and leaves us with a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Social Connection
There are other aspects to video games outside of only brainteasers, imagination, and entertainment. But it’s also a place where people can connect with one another. Although it isn’t social media, it is one of the venues where people can develop relationships and make acquaintances. Playing with friends isn’t a phenomenon that is new, people are prone to play with friends because the experience can be more fun. What’s fascinating about all this is that we don’t have to be in close proximity when the internet connection is present. Hence, as long as we are with our friends, whether we are playing a competitive game or casually, it’s a great way to relieve tension.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you enjoy the game then it is a good stress reliever. Games that function heavily on a social aspect such as cooperative games are one of the big genres that promote stress relief. However, this type of game can be time-consuming and addictive. Apart from that, there are also casual games that don’t require you to assert so much time on it which effectively helps you reduce stress due to their casual nature.
