CAN VIDEO GAMES LEVEL UP YOUR WELL-BEING?

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Hit the pause button on that game, but don’t turn it off just yet.

What if those hours spent battling dragons or building empires weren’t just fun, but also mentally good for you? As controllers rumble, screens glow and tensions rise while the timer ticks down on the last few seconds before your final move, a question pops up: Can video games level up your well-being?

Video games have always been cast as the proverbial villain in most household narratives. You’ve probably played at least one game on your PC, laptop or phone and definitely heard your parents or someone close to you fretting over the “wasted time”, “careless addiction” or “what the youth of today has come to”.

But what if we’re looking at gaming from just that one perspective and ignoring its possible benefits?

Recent research has found a positive relationship between gameplay and well-being. Gaming can be more than just an escape from the drudgery we call life— it can be a powerful tool for boosting mood, relieving stress and developing hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills and quick creative thinking.

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You’ve probably noticed feeling good while playing a game; or even better when you upgrade, move up a level, hear the satisfying chink of gold coins being added to your chest, or when you FINALLY beat that fire-breathing winged lava demon that seems to have a million lives and a personal vendetta against you (ha! suck it!). There’s a scientific reason for that feeling, and it has much to do with your well-being.

When you win something or accomplish a goal, the reward centre in your brain lights up like a lamp. This is the part of the brain that is activated whenever we experience something rewarding, like eating good food, using drugs, or having sex. In such cases, your brain releases an increased amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger responsible for giving you a sense of pleasure (it’s pretty dope…and completely legal don’t worry). Dopamine is your all-natural feel-good drug.

This is one of the biggest reasons why gaming feels so good.

Fair warning though, as humans we’re biologically inclined towards pleasure and actively seek it to avoid pain.

This can lead to a serious addiction in the case of drugs and also video games! If you find yourself unable to stop, make sure you reach out to someone or try dopamine detoxing if that helps.

Dopamine makes you feel good and happy, and because of this, you tend to seek and reinforce the behaviours that produce more of it!!!!

There’s more that motivates gaming behaviour besides pleasure.

According to the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), 3 psychological needs contribute to well-being:

Autonomy: Gaming gives you the feeling of control. You get your main character moment 24/7, you get to choose, make decisions and take action. It also feels productive because you have a mission and objectives, you’re not just mindlessly scrolling on your device. Who wouldn’t like a sense of accomplishment and control at your beck and call?
Competence: Level Up! New Skill Unlocked! Sounds epic, right? Gaming allows you to master tasks and upskill yourself, increasing your motivation to learn, achieve more and spend the time doing what it takes to ascend on the leaderboard.
Connection: We’re social beings. Our need for attachment goes without saying. Virtual interaction helps beat loneliness and isolation. Socialising can be a huge aspect of multiplayer and competitive games because sometimes it’s easier to make friends online over common ground.

Well, Guess What?

Video games are now being used in therapy too!

The FDA has approved the prescription of EndeavorRx as a therapeutic tool to improve focus and attention in children with ADHD.

Check out some of the best video games and how they can get you feeling “oh, well” too:

Enjoy Cozy Grove, No Man’s Sky, or A Short Hike for an after-work mental wind down. There’s nothing like a short period spent in relaxing, feel-good games to take your mind off a heavy day.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has also been recognised as a relaxing game for individuals with anxiety disorders and is a pure joy to play!

Studies have found that Tetris can help improve brain processing speed and cognitive thinking. If you need a quick stress buster, try a crazy driving game to hype yourself up.

For more suggestions or a place to socialise with like-minded gamers, join this Reddit Community thread.

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As you can see, epic quests and nail-biting missions might be training more than just our thumbs…

You’ve now explored how levelling up in a game could lead to levelling up in life. Grab your controller and open your mind. As always, have safety mechanisms in place to prevent addiction from setting in. It’s always cool to reach out if you need to.

Ready player one?

It’s time to experience the science behind the screens and discover if “Game Over” might actually mean “Well-Being: Unlocked”.