1They’re Producing Better Surgeons.
While you may think you want your surgeon reading up on the latest
medical research instead of playing games, you might want to reconsider:
a study of laparoscopic (small incision) specialists found that those
who played for more than three hours per week made 32 percent fewer
errors during practice procedures compared to their non-gaming
counterparts.
2. They May Help People Overcome Dyslexia.
Some research points to attention difficulties as being a key
component of dyslexia. One study has shown dyslexics improved their
reading comprehension following sessions of games heavy on action. The
reason, researchers believe, is that the games have constantly changing
environments that require intense focus.
3. They Could Improve Your Vision.
“Don’t sit too close to the television” used to be a common parental
refrain without a lot of science to back it up. Instead, scientists are
discovering games in moderation may actually improve—not strain—your
vision. In one study, 10 weeks of play was associated with a greater
ability to discern between different shades of grey. Another had
participants try to play games using only their “lazy” eye, with the
“good” one obscured. Those players showed significant, sometimes
normalized improvement in the affected eye.
4. Players Can Become Fascinated with History.
Many games use actual historical events to drive their stories. Those
characters and places can then spark a child’s interest in discovering
more about the culture they’re immersed in, according to researchers.
Parents who have obtained books, maps, and other resources connected to
games have reported their children are more engaged with learning, which
can lead to a lifetime appreciation for history.
5. They May Slow the Aging Process.
So-called “brain games” involving problem-solving, memory, and puzzle
components have been shown to have a positive benefit on older players.
In one study, just 10 hours of play led to increased cognitive
functioning in participants 50 and older—improvement that lasted for
several years.
6. They Help Ease Pain.
It’s common to try to distract ourselves from pain by paying
attention to something else or focusing on other body mechanisms, but
that’s not the only reason why games are a good post-injury
prescription. Playing can actually produce an analgesic (pain-killing)
response in our higher cortical systems. The more immersive, the
better—which is why pending virtual reality systems may one day be as
prevalent in hospitals as hand sanitizer.
7. You’ll Make New Social Connections.
Gamers are sometimes stigmatized as being too insulated, but the
opposite is actually true. The rise of multi-player experiences online
has given way to a new form of socializing in which players work
together to solve problems. But studies have shown games can also be the
catalyst for friends to gather in person: roughly 70 percent of all
players play with friends at least some of the time.
8. You’ll Make Faster Decisions.
We all know someone who seems to have a faster CPU than the rest of
us, able to retrieve information or react in a split second. For some,
that ability might be strengthened through gaming. Because new
information is constantly being displayed during play, players are
forced to adapt quickly. In one study, players who were immersed in
fast-paced games were 25 percent faster in reacting to questions about
an image they had just seen compared to non-players.
