ATTENTION EVERYONE!
Call your significant other and let them know that your video games are actually way more important than they thought. And if they don’t want you stressed, they should be very okay with you spending all Sunday playing video games. It’s not like I’m speaking from any personal experience…
A new study has come out from Luke Hales, the general manager of the Dave TV. Researchers did a survey of 1,000 gamers and asked them a wide range of questions.
The first point of interest the study found was that 55 percent play video games to destress and relieve anxiety.
The only disclaimer I’d like to point out is that…they surveyed only gamers. And if you classify yourself as a gamer aren’t you going to say these things? Anyways the study goes on…
47 percent of their study thought that video games helped their overall outlook on life after playing. So if they excelled in whatever game they played, their real lives were impacted as well.
Half also said that viewed videos games as an escape to get away from their real world work problems.
Hales commented on the 1,000 person survey, where the ages ranged from 18-30 years old:
“This survey is incredibly revealing in showing the positive mental benefits of getting together for a gaming session.”
For 60% of these surveyed gamers, they viewed their gaming time as a social tool as well, saying that specifically hopped online to play with others. Moreover they commented that they’ve gained an average of three friends…virtually of course.
This isn’t that uncommon though, as some have even found lifelong friends or even a marriage partner!
42% of the study mentioned that they feel happiest in their lives when completing a challenge in their virtual worlds.
Honestly this all sounds like Ready Player One is the next step in the video game evolution, now more than ever.
This study was jam-packed with numbers about how the gamers feel. This seemed like one of the most important stats though.
37% of the gamers felt that video games had helped them increase their levels of confidence. And 27% feel as though video games helped them get over a mental illness.
So get those N64 controllers out at the office, and destress for an hour! Show your boss that science says this is vital, and maybe he or she will agree.
Hales concluded with:
“For those looking for support, gaming as a hobby can offer a confidence-boosting sense of achievement which may be lacking in other aspects of their lives.
It’s also a great way to interact with people who have similar interests, socialize and make friends, and it’s a shame this side of the pastime is often passed over by the media in favor of a negative headline.”