Sponsored: Does Online Gaming Lower Stress Levels?

Since the 70s we’ve taken up controllers and hammered away at enemies on a screen and since then gaming has been met with turned up noses and confusion. ‘Experts’ claimed video games made people violent, rotted brain cells and weren’t a productive way of passing the time, but lately playing games has become a more mainstream form of entertainment with more and more of us dabbling in RPGs and first person shooters to relax, unwind and generally enjoy ourselves.

So does online gaming actually have any benefits other than enjoyment? Can it actually lower stress levels?

The guys at wink bingo believe so. While they focus on the game of bingo the same principles apply when playing any game that involves concentration. Gaming distracts the player from their worries, their troubles, it encourages them to focus on the game at hand and in doing so can lower stress levels. Online gaming is particularly effective as it also comes with a social element, as you interact with other players while navigating the game – whether it’s online bingo or something more immersive such as World of Warcraft.

Interestingly, gamers aren’t heavily one sided when it comes to gender, with the Entertainment Software Association discovering the 55% of the gamer demographic is male and the rest (45%) female and both use games as a way of relieving stress.

Studies in the US have determined that children use video games as ways of channeling their anger and stress, and some have discovered that they are better at coping with difficult situations because of this.

A 2014 study by the University College of London also determined that out of the 491 people taking part there was a positive correlation between the hours spent playing a game and the overall recovery time for work related stress. Those who played for at least an hour a week reported to have significantly lower WHI (work home interference) and a higher recovery experience when it came to de stressing.

In response to these types of studies, indicating the stress reducing impact games can have, more and more health bodies are embracing gaming. Over in the States again, the National Institute of Aging, in an attempt to boost cognitive function in the elderly, have invested in Nintendo Wii consoles. Not only are these great at keeping people healthy and reducing stress but they’re great fun too.

Pick up and play type games are the best option for those looking to reduce stress, as a study by East Carolina University discovered when it had 130+ participants taking part and playing games such as Bejeweled. Their overall mood increased while their stress decreased, indicating that games are a great form of therapy for those looking to minimise their stress.

So, if you want to reduce your stress levels perhaps it’s time to put down the book, ditch the yoga and give gaming a go!