Video Transcription

Four ways that gaming is good for your health

I bet you’ve been told you’re too old to play Pokémon Go, or maybe that gaming is somehow bad for your health. Maybe you should just pull the plug and settle down… Wrong! Here are four reasons gaming is actually good for your health.

One: Gaming helps us beat a bad mood. In 2010, a study followed three different groups of people – non-gamers, moderate gamers, and excessive gamers. Moderate gamers came out on top, reporting better moods. Excessive gamers came in second, and non-gamers came in dead last… which makes sense. I mean, who doesn’t feel like they’re on top of the world after defeating Ganondorf, or finally evolving a Dragonair, or getting further than, like, two meters in QWOP?

Two: Gaming brings our self-esteem to the next level. A recent study found gamers generally have a higher level of self-esteem when up against non-gamers. Why? Well, gaming is a great way to figure out what we’re good at – whether you dominate with your hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, or coming up with new and exciting ways to take care of your Sims.

Three: Gaming gives you a power-up. Moderate gamers reported higher energy levels than non-gamers, but it’s bad news for compulsive gamers. Gaming too much is actually doing the opposite – it’s draining your energy levels.

Four: Contrary to the sad and friendless gamer stereotype, gaming is actually becoming a great way to build friendships. In fact, a 2012 study on World of Warcraft users found that socializing is actually a top reason for playing, and for some lucky users, it brought them a little bit closer than just friends.

Let’s not forget that Tinder’s kind of a game… So there you have it – four excuses, I mean, reasons – why you should game. So get out there, like and share this video, and spread the good word. Happy gaming!

Video by Reach Out